KAYCEE, Wyo. - Charles A. Murdock, 74, of Kaycee, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2011, in the Johnson County Health Care Center in Buffalo.

Born in Sheridan, the second of five children, Charles was raised in Lodge Grass, Mont., the son of Ellis and Allene Murdock. Charles spent his early years working on the family ranch.

He graduated high school in 1955, and enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he met his first wife, Sally. After the Air Force, Charles returned home to work the family ranch with his wife and first son, Mark.

He joined the Montana Highway Patrol in 1965. Charles served as a Patrolman for 14 years. Charles married Elsie Kemp in 1971. Upon retiring from the Patrol in 1979, Charles and Elsie owned and operated the Grizzly Bar in Roscoe, Mont., for two years. Charles then moved his family to Kaycee in 1981, where he worked for Texaco in the oil fields for 15 years. In 1997, Charles retired from Texaco/Chevron.

Charles spent his retirement years in Kaycee, enjoying his friends and family. He and Elsie spent many weekends at his ranch in Wyola, Mont., working to restore the family cabin. Charles loved the time he could spend on his ranch. He loved sharing his heritage and family stories, and never met a stranger. He recently moved to the Veterans' home in Buffalo. He made many new friends and enjoyed his final months worry-free and happy with his new home.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Allene Murdock; his wives, Sally and Elsie Murdock; his brothers, Wayne and Donald Murdock; his sister, Josie Murdock (Steinbach); his son, William Murdock; and grandson Mark D. Murdock II.

Survivors include his sister, Phyllis Murdock (Brosz); his children, Mark Murdock (Kathy), Kimberly Murdock Wood (Joel), Sharon Murdock Alderson (Keith), Charles D. Murdock (Angie), Barbara Murdock and Paul Murdock; his grandchildren, Ashley Elliot, Laura Williams, Anna Williams, Bryan Wood, Stephanie Wood, Rebecca Alderson, Madison Alderson, Christopher Alderson, Anthony Murdock, Spencer Murdock, Jessica Murdock, Sarah Schripsema, Krystal Schripsema, Savanna Martin, Sherry Murdock, Angie Murdock, Dustin Murdock; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Charles will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, at Champion Ferries Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Champion Ferries Funeral Home, with Pastor Brian Johnson officiating. Interment will be in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery with Military Rites by the American Legion Post #7 and the Wyoming National Guard.

Memorials in memory of Mr. Murdock may be made to the Kaycee Community Center, or designated to the resident's ADL at the Veterans' Home of Wyoming, Buffalo, WY 82834.

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