Randall Deane Murray

Dr. Randall Deane Murray, 62, passed peacefully at home on April 30, 2021 under the care of hospice and his family.

Randy was born on August 19, 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Monroe and Ann (Paisley) Murray. He attended grade school in California and graduated from Menahga High School in 1976.  He attended Bemidji State University and then the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in veterinary medicine in 1986.

Randy’s greatest passion in life was caring for animals. He started his career as a veterinarian in Blackduck in 1986 purchasing the Blackduck Vet Clinic from Francis Knippling. He later relocated his practice to Bemidji, first renting from the Friendly Fins Pet Shop and then later establishing his own business, Friendly Vet Clinic, where he worked until his passing. A strong advocate of holistic healing, Randy often used nutrition and holistic modalities of healing in his practice, and he helped many people in the community find paths of healing and health right alongside their pets with numerous certifications to his name.

A lifelong learner and an avid reader, Randy was never without a book in his hand. He was particularly fond of science fiction and fantasy books. He also had an affinity for rabbits and spent much of the 90s successfully breeding and showing New Zealand Reds all over Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his father Monroe Murray and two brothers Vincent and Darrell Murray. He is survived by his children Patrick and Shannon (Susan Wynne) of Bemidji, mother Ann Murray of Bemidji, siblings James (Peggy) Murray of Booneville, IN, Donna (Donald) Jensen of Burnsville, and Edwina (Allen) Koebnick of Nevis, grandchildren Xavier and Matilda of Bemidji, and many extended relatives.

A Celebration of Randy’s Life will be held at the Headwaters Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (1826 Mikrantip Rd SW) in Bemidji Minnesota at 2:30pm on Saturday, June 26th. Visitation will be one hour before the celebration. Guests are welcome to bring their favorite stories and dessert to share. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Great River Rescue in Bemidji.

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