Ronald Murray

Ronald "Ron" Lee Murray, 80, of Byron, MN passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Methodist Hospital. Ron had been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in 2015 and survived with the excellent care of the Oncology & Gastroenterology Departments of the Mayo Clinic and Methodist Hospital.

Ron was born on October 14,1943 in Mount Airy, MD the son of the late Norman T. and Ada Lea Day Murray. Ron graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1959 and enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Cold War era. Ron was also a member of American Legion Post #119 in Byron, MN.

Ron continued using skills learned in the Air Force after his honorable discharge at the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC) in Egg Harbor Township, NJ for IBM. While working in the Atlantic City, NJ area he met the love of his life Penny on a double date with friends. Ron and Penny were married on July 28,1973 in Ventnor, NJ.

In 1975 Ron and Penny moved to Maryland where Ron worked for IBM. In April 1979 Ron was transferred to Rochester, MN IBM's Application Business Systems division where he worked until his retirement. Not one for sitting around, Ron worked for a few more years at CIBER Inc as a consultant back at IBM. Retiring for the second time from CIBER, Ron took a part time position at Northern Tool and Equipment in Rochester. He enjoyed his time at Northern Tool making new work friends and helping folks find the right item needed. He was known for his delicious chili recipe at the store's potluck events.

Ron was an active member at Community Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and an usher. Ron's other long-time commitment in volunteering was at Samaritan Bethany where he was known for helping with Happy Hour on Friday afternoons. Ron and Penny both started volunteering there when Penny's mother Eileen Hand was a resident there from 2009-2013. They both continued volunteering at Samaritan Bethany until Penny was a resident there and eventually passed away in October 2019. Ron continued to volunteer at Samaritan Bethany until the spring of this year.

Ron and Penny both enjoyed traveling. They returned numerous times to the South Jersey Shore, the North Shore of Minnesota and to locations further afield, including Hawaii twice, a river cruise in France-going to Normandy where Ron's brother had served. They went to the Rose Parade and took a memorable cross-Canadian tour. Ron was an avid John Deere tractor aficionado and toy tractor collector who would travel to Iowa for the Gathering of the Green meeting other John Deere enthusiasts.

Ron is survived by a sister-in-law Jeannie Stimpfel of Clarendon, VT; a niece, Carissa Stimpfel (Shane Cunningham) of Stillwater, MN; a nephew Ben Ward of Nashville, TN; a godson Ben (Lindsey) Rutt of Ellicott City, MD; and dear friends Harry & Jona Hines of Rochester, MN.

A memorial service to celebrate Ron's life will be held at 4:00 pm Friday, July 26 at Samaritan Bethany Chapel, 24 Eighth St NW, Rochester, MN 55901 with Pastor Carla Nelson officiating. In lieu of flowers please donate to an organization of your choice in Ron's memory.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Murray family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com