Doris Elaine Murray

Doris Elaine Murray passed from this life on July 30, 2026, in Lander, Wyoming, full of years and wisdom at 91. Doris was born in Corvallis, Oregon, on March 27, 1935, the first child of Orville Murray and Ethyl Coriell Murray, but spent her formative early years in the greater Los Angeles area as a mentor to her younger sister, Joan. After obtaining a teaching degree from Long Beach State in 1958, Doris taught for four years in Helena, Montana before moving to Lander in 1962. Her teaching career in Lander spanned 43 years, including 42 years at Southside Elementary School.

To say Doris was just a teacher is like saying the Grand Canyon is just a ditch. She won repeated awards as an educator, including Wyoming’s “Outstanding Young Woman” of 1968. Most of her nearly 2000 students would later name Doris as their favorite teacher throughout their school years for her determined mission to uniquely connect every child to the joy of learning. The daughter of a semi-pro baseball player and manager, Doris became his team’s official scorekeeper while still a young teen, and at 18 served as the official scorekeeper for a major league/minor league benefit game at Wrigley Field, making her the first woman and youngest person to earn that honor.

Doris was a leading member of dozens of education, genealogy, and civic organizations over her 65 years in Lander. As a member of the Lander Church of Christ, she taught Sunday School every week and taught at the Wyoming Youth Bible Camp every summer for decades.

Doris is survived by four nieces and nephews: Delayne Johnson of Conroe, Texas, David Nix of Austin, Texas, Kendra Thomsen of Austin, Texas, and Kenneth Nix of Conroe, Texas. She is also survived by nine great-nieces and great-nephews. She was a bright flame and an inspiration to everyone who had the honor to know her. Her absence leaves an unfillable hole in thousands of hearts.

A public viewing will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, with the funeral service following at 1:00 p.m., both at Hudson's Funeral Home in Lander, Wyoming.

Please sign the online guestbook at: hudsonsfh.com