R.H. "Bud" Murrah departed this life on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Services will be under the direction of Crofts funeral home in Blanco, Texas.

Visitation will be at Crofts Funeral Home in Blanco on Friday, February 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held this Saturday, February 25, at 1:00 p.m. at The Blanco Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a contribution in memory of Bud may do so to the "Bud Murrah Blanco Rodeo Association Scholarship Fund" at Security State Bank and Trust, PO Box 840 Blanco, TX 78606.

Bud was born March 31,1920, in Del Rio, Texas, to R.H. Murrah, Sr. and Willie Deane Jourdan Murrah.

The son of a ranching family, Bud's childhood and early years were spent in the Big Bend area of Texas learning the rancher's trade. An excellent horseman and cattleman, Bud from an early age took to the life of a rancher. He learned and lived the scrappy mentality it took to make a living off the land.

Towards the end of the Great Depression, and shortly after graduating from Sanderson High School, Bud got together with some of his school friends and headed west to California to seek employment with Lockheed Corporation assembling aircraft. This great adventure lasted only a couple of years and was punctuated by the news of the Pearl Harbor bombing and the inevitability of war.

During World War II, Bud proudly served his country in the Navy from March 1942 until January 1946. Bud was in the Pacific theater during the final preparations for Operation Downfall, later expressing his thanks for decisive action on behalf of President Truman to end the Japanese resistance not through the Potsdam Declaration but through the Enola Gay "declaration".

After The War, Bud returned to Brewster County, Texas, to resume ranching. He married the love of his life, Gloria Farley, on November 25, 1950, in Alpine, Texas, and the two settled and began raising their three children. While the living conditions in the Big Bend area at that time left a lot to be desired as far as creature comforts, Bud focused on providing life lessons for his children. Bud taught his children about cattle and horses, the value of hard work, and they each learned from him the ability to make a living off the land.

In 1964 Bud began his career with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as Superintendent of the Blanco State Park, which he ran until his retirement in 1982. During his tenure as Blanco State Park Superintendent, the Park saw growth in numbers of visitors to the park and increased statewide recognition as visitors from across the state and country began to discover the improved facility. Bud oversaw improvements to the park's physical facilities and landscaping. Many of the trees alongside the Blanco river were planted during Bud's superintendency and are enjoyed by families today.

In retirement, Bud enjoyed traveling with his wife, helping his children with their careers and interests, and sitting on the porch, reflecting.

Bud is survived by his wife Gloria; son Dan and his wife Marcella of Blanco, Texas; son Tom and his wife Susy of Blanco, Texas; daughter Nancy Arnold and her husband Richard of Blanco, TX. He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including: Matt Murrah and his wife Karen and children Molly, Daniel, and Mae of Dallas, TX; Wesley Murrah and his wife Katy and children Caleb and Clayton of Blanco, TX; and a brother, Dan Murrah of San Angelo, Texas.

Bud is preceded in death by his parents, R.H. Murrah, Sr. and Willie Deane Jourdan Murrah, brother Buck, and sister Ruth.

Bud was a proud lifetime member of the Blanco Masonic Lodge. He was also a proud member of the Blanco Lions Club.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Bud had a remarkable confidence in people. Bud chose to see the good in people, sought joy in his encounters, and always looked for opportunity in circumstances. Bud enjoyed sharing a joke and a smile, and his attitude was contagious. Never afraid to express his opinion, Bud did so with respect and confidence. Bud was a man of character, consistency, and hope.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."