Randall Lloyd Murray

Randall Lloyd Murray formerly of Edson, AB., left the stage, on February 27, 2025, at the age of 94, in Hinton, AB. 

Randy was predeceased by his parents, Harold Lloyd and Winnifred Rowena (Bradford) Murray, and his wife of 55 years, Donna Jean (McNabb) Murray.

He is survived by his four children: Wayne Murray (Kate) of Tlayacapan, Mexico; Karen Murray of Edson, AB.; Marla Johnson (Clayton) of Brooks, AB.; Cathy Jones (Bryan) of Hinton, AB.; Diane Biernacki (Murray Thideman) of Edson, AB.; Kieth Biernacki of Edson, AB.; his companion of the last 13 years, Patricia Sheilds of Edmonton, AB.; his ten grandchildren: Jennifer Coombs (Jeremy), Christin Lillihei (Stacey), Melissa Frantz (Tyler), Murray Johnson (Tasha Walthers), Kimberly Johann (Garon), Danielle Fraser (Shane), Greg Jones (Sharlynn McDougal), Aaron Murray (Christy), Myles Jones (Sasha Bartlett), Darcie Crocker; and, his fifteen great grandchildren: Jaylee (Daniel), Jordan, Austin, Ariel, Corbin, Ryley, Xander, Kiara, Liam, Tristan, Simon, Brooklynn, Kinsley, Anika and Rockie. He is dearly missed.

Randy was born in Lethbridge, AB., on May 20, 1930. Randy was an only child. His family lived briefly in Kindersley, SK., where his grandparents lived and where he went to pre-kindergarten. They eventually moved to Manning and Peace River, AB., where he resided until he was 9. His mother was a schoolteacher and taught at various schools in Alberta. His father trained to become a dentist, which brought the family to Edmonton, where Randy spent most of his school years.

After high school, Randy hitchhiked to California, where he met the twins Billy and Bobby Meistrall (owners of the Body Glove company) and the Sturgill family. They taught Randy to free dive, scuba dive, and spearfish. He also learned how to make his own dive suits and glue his prescription lenses into his diving mask. These lovely and exciting people quickly became family, and diving became a central passion in his life!

Upon returning to Edmonton, Randy obtained a degree in Pharmacology at the University of Alberta. While in university, Randy was an avid boxer and won many matches.

Randy and Donna Jean McNabb had known each other throughout their school years, meeting first in grade seven. They were high-school sweethearts.  Donna took a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics at the University of Alberta, but art was her life! She was an avid painter but was talented in many art forms. Their house in Edson was adorned with her beautiful art, her expressions of happiness.

Randy and Donna were married in Edmonton in 1953 and enjoyed 55 wonderful years together. They moved to Edson and opened a pharmacy. Later, they built a new store called “Murray’s Super Drugs.” They lived on the East side of Edson until 1977, when they built a beautiful home in the country, 3 miles north of the town.

Randall was very active in the community, a longstanding member of Kinsmen, and hosted many dance recitals in Edson. He also formed a local scuba club in Edson.

The scuba club had many adventures and enjoyed great camaraderie.  The group dove lakes around Jasper, Edson, and Hinton. During the construction of the Icefields Parkway, the club heard rumors of a nearby lake (now known as Horseshoe Lake). They hiked in cross-country from Athabasca Falls in search of it. They would spend many years diving and cliff jumping at this now well-known location. Randy also liked to dive at Bear Lake near Edson and fish with his speargun, to the delight of his children who thought it was the most amazing thing and would wait for him to surface with the fish. 

Randy took many trips to the West Coast to dive and explore on his boat, the “Restigouche”. Randy and Donna spent many good times on the beautiful waters around Washington & Vancouver Island, and in the late 1970s they did a month-long cruise around Vancouver Island in their boat. Randy and Donna also travelled all over the world. When they were by water, Randy dove and Donna floated above sketching the beauty around them. Because Randy could free dive, the equipment (fins & goggles) was easy to tote along. They met so many wonderful people and kept in touch with most of them. While they explored a lot of places in their boat, they especially loved the seas off Bellingham.

Throughout the years, Randy and Donna hosted many large parties that were remembered by all who attended. Costume parties and corn roasts were their specialty. Randy always prepared skits for his unwitting friends, and everyone played along. Randall was larger than life, a prankster, and a showman. Randy always seemed to have a story to tell, and Christmas letters from the Murrays were filled with their yearly adventures and were most exciting to read. 

After 30 years serving Edson as a pharmacist, Randy retired in 1986. Sadly, his beloved wife, Donna, passed away in 2008. Randy found love again when he met Pat Shields with whom he continued his travels, visiting family friends and sites worldwide. Randy was never finished having fun and always looked forward to his next adventure. 

Randy eventually succumbed to vascular dementia and kidney failure. He leaves his loving family and friends with many fond memories to cherish. We are all grateful to have had him in our lives. He has enriched so many lives with his antics and spontaneity; we never knew what was coming.

In Lieu of Flowers, please send donations to the Kidney Foundation or to a Cancer department in a local hospital.  Cremation has taken place and there will be a private inurnment. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Edson Legion at 1:30 PM on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Family, friends, acquaintances, and well-wishers are welcome.

If anyone has some special words or memories, we would love to hear them. 

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