Murrey William Selk
In the early morning of March 16, 2023, Murrey passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was 53 years old. Murrey was born in Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California on January 18, 1970. He was the third child of Gary and Muriel Selk.
His family moved to Miles City in 1978, and he graduated from Custer County District High School in 1988. After high school, Murrey attended Miles Community College for a year before transferring to Montana State University in Bozeman.
He returned to Miles City and married Denise Kuchynka. They moved to Boise, Idaho where he worked for a large roofing company. After a few years in Boise, they moved back to Miles City and Murrey worked for his dad at Selk Construction. Murrey and Denise were blessed with three children, Kristen, Brandon, and Ryan. Denise passed away in 2016.
In addition to teaching at Pine Hills school and CCDHS, Murrey was a well known and beloved coach in his community, leading teams in many different sports: soccer, baseball, basketball, football, softball and Special Olympics.
While coaching softball, he met Holly Finley. They were married in 2019 and he gained two more daughters, Arena and Autumn Porter. Murrey and Holly coached softball and Special Olympics together. He loved all of his kids and loved doing this with Holly. One of Murrey’s dreams was to coach a team of orphans.
The family moved out to Sunday Creek where Murrey got to live another one of his dreams, living in the country. Murrey worked in the construction industry and, according to his father, he was the best in his field. He was meticulous and a perfectionist.
Murrey was preceded in death by his first wife Denise, his dad Gary, his grandparents, and many aunts and uncles, who were very special to him.
Murrey is survived by his loving wife Holly, his children Kristen (Caleb) Selk-Smith, Brandon Selk, Ryan Selk, Arena Porter, Autumn Porter, his mother Muriel, his brother Marvin (Lisa) Selk, his sister Janet (Blane) Christopherson, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and several great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. A reception at the First Baptist Church will follow the memorial service. Condolences can be made to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Murrey’s honor to the Special Olympics. Donations may be made online by visiting https://support.specialolympics.org/a/montana?SelectedFrequency=4&ms=IDMP_MONTHLY_WEB&utm_source=web&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=IDMP_MONTHLY
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 PM
Friday March 24, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Friday March 24, 2023
First Baptist Church
914 Palmer Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Garth Sleight says
My oldest daughter called me last night about this devastating news. My heart is just crushed for Holly, the children, and the rest of the extended family and friends. I am so sorry to see this terribly sad passing. Murrey was a terrific person and I am grateful for the privilege to have known him.
Rob,Sherri,Derek & Braden Schneidt says
Our sincere condolences to all the family. Murray was a great person and coach. He will be missed. Rest easy Coach Selk.
Smith Family says
Heartbroken at this news. Our boys worked with Gary and Murrey and loved them to pieces. Caleb, I know you are holding tight to Kristen, please give her our love, as well as her brothers. May you all be able to be together as you face the painful days and years ahead.
Jody Braunschweig says
I’m sorry that I didn’t try and talk to any of you! I moved to Miles City from Iowa and my maiden name was Selk! I’m sorry for your loss he sounds like a wonderful man!
Liz, Stan and Mathias (Nascar) Wheeler says
Oh Holly, we are so sad to hear this. Murrey was such an exceptional man. His time spent volunteering with Special Olympics impacted so many lives. He will be missed. We are praying for you all.
Beth Ann Johnson Wiedeman says
Doug and I are sending love and prayers.
DARBIE KARCH says
SO SADDENED TO HEAR OF MURRAY’S PASSING. SUCH A NICE GUY AND LIKED BY ALL. GONE TOO SEEON. PRAYERS TO HIS FAMILY.
Sheila Hansen says
Holly, Ryan and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It is devastating to lose someone so close. Please call on me anytime you need a shoulder. 😢
Jeana and Syra Brock says
So sorry to hear this heartbreaking news! Sending love and peace to the family and friends for the days ahead. “Coach Selk” will be missed by so many of us in this community.
Denise Harvey says
Dear loved ones of Murray,
We are so very very heartbroken for all of you. This is unimaginable and our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you all. May you find comfort in the difficult days ahead.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Pam Bovee says
My thoughts are with all of the Selk famines. I worked with Murrey at Pine Hills. When we were re doing a class room for my Foods classes, I asked Murrey if he could make me some shelves to store pans. He made an amazing set of 3 drawers. He was a very talented man with a heart of gold. He will be missed by every life he touched, but Heaven is brighter because he is there. Sending love and peace to all.
Grant Scott says
Great memories with Murrey. He and I were at MSU in 1989/90 and kept dragging Main in Bozeman, like we did in Miles City. We also took a trip to Fargo during Spring Break to visit Bryan and had to change out a water pump on the wind blown prairies of eastern North Dakota. Too many memories to list. Everyone will remember his smile.
God bless Murrey’s family.
Pickering Family says
Having trouble processing this. Katie and Nathan so much enjoyed Coach Holly and Coach Murrey this season. Nathan especially enjoyed Murrey”s guidance in his first year of playing. A quiet, sincere, gentle and thoughtful person who will be missed by so many. Just not enough words to describe such a person. Please know you and everyone are in our prayers.
Walt Marolf says
So sorry to hear of Murray passing. Like his dad he was a good guy. My thoughts are with all his family.
MARTHA J CRANDALL says
I am so sad for you. My sympathy. Holly, you know I help anyway needed.
Gene & Vickie Schneidt says
Simply heartbreaking…love, hugs & prayers for all of you.
Joanie and Eric Bechtle and family says
I am so sorry to hear this very sad news! Murrey was always such a kind and generous person, even though I haven’t seen him since high school . Such a loss for the Miles City community. Thinking of his family during this time.
KAREN AND RAY PELLANT says
My thoughts and prayers are with all the families.
Chris Reed says
Kristen, Brandon, Ryan, Arena, Autumn, and Holly:
I am so sorry for your loss of a great father, bonus dad, and husband. Honestly, CCDHS lost a great coach and teacher. Miles City lost a kind humble human. Murrey was a lot of things to many of us, but he was your everything. Rest in Peace Coach. Thank you for all you did for everyone.
Richard Bonine says
I am so sorry and saddened to learn of Murrey’s passing. He was a top-shelf human being. I wish you all peace and comfort in this trying and sorrow filled time.
MELODY says
Dear Holly and the family I’m so sorry for your loss and Murrey was a good coach and very nice person and everyone is going to miss coach Murrey and I’m to miss him saying hi to me and saying good job to me and I’m sending prayers and hugs to you and your family 🤗💕🙏
Frankie Meade says
So sad to hear of Murrey’s passing he was such a good hearted person and had such a good sense of humor , i will miss seeing that huge smile he always had, my prayers to the whole family.
Jones Jean says
So very sorry. May the Lord wrap his loving arms around you all.
Breanna Schell says
I am so very sorry for your loss. Murrey was a wonderful person who never shied away from helping someone with anything they needed. He was an amazing coach and I’m thankful I had the pleasure of playing under him. May the lord help guide you through this difficult time.
Avery and the Anderson Family says
Our thoughts and prayers go out Holly and the family. Murrey was an amazing person who impacted so many lives. We will miss those “high fives” and all the encouragement he gave to all Special Olympics athletes. We loved his smile, his laugh and how he always stopped what he was doing to show he cared. He was more than a coach or a teacher, he was a real friend. We were blessed and he will be missed.
DANA PENROD says
I AM SO VERY SORRY! YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Mary Roig says
Sending prayers , hugs and love to all of you. In the arms of Jesus. That is where Murrey is. And his loved ones and all of us will see him someday. I’m so sorry Holly and to all the family . He was loved by hundreds and I saw the love he had for Special Olympic kids and adults and students and especially his family.
St. Patrick once wrote these words:
“Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.”
Iva graves says
Holly I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers for all the family. Much love and caring headed your way. Iva and ray graves
Juile Leischner says
Holly, Ryan, Brandon and Kristen, I can’t even begin to imagine the shock you are feeling over the all-too-early death of Murrey. We were in high school at the same time, but I didn’t really know him then. I’ve only had the privilege of getting to know him a little bit these last few years as he was involved in Special Olympics with my Ruthie. She loved him!!! (I don’t even want to tell her that he is gone.) He would always talk to her directy, give her a high five, etc. He truly treated our special olympians like athlethes…like real people. We just saw him under 2 weeks ago at the bowling awards ceremony. He was standing there with Holly beaming at the kids receiving their awards. What a wonderful person! To say that he will be missed is an understatement, but a true statement nonetheless. Much love and many prayers for your families. Julie and Ruthie Leischner (and families)
Raylynn Sleight says
Sincerest condolences to Holly and the family as you chart the waters of grief for Murrey.
Dannette Cremer says
Holly,
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart just aches for you. I haven’t known you for a long time, but the times I have seen you and Murrey together, helping coach Special Olympics BB and just seeing you out, I know the days ahead will not be an easy – but I pray for you and your family that you will take each day – one day at a time.
Scott & Voni Tally says
This is just heartbreaking & we are so sorry! Praying God will comfort you in your continued time of need.
David Stabio says
Murrey was a gentle young man and a delight to have in class. I am saddened by his passing and send condolences to his family. May you be comforted by the loving memories you formed over the years.