Ralph Charles "R.C" Murchie II

Ralph Charles Murchie II, 'R.C.', of St. Ignatius, MT, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2011 at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. R.C. was born in Lynn, MA on February 3, 1945 a son of the late Ralph Charles Murchie and Delores Marshall Murchie. In his early adult life, he spent about 15 years as a seasonal lobsterman on the New England Atlantic Ocean and in the Gulf of Mexico. He also worked with a drywall construction business in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, and Tennessee. A new radiant life began for R.C. when he met the love of his life and best friend, Marilyn in 1992 in Tennessee. In early 1993, R.C.'s life was transformed and he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized by Dr. Harry Yates, minister of Nashville Cowboy Church. On April 17, 1993, he married his beloved wife, Marilyn and the two moved to St. Ignatius that following May. They began their business, The Master's Touch Drywall, Inc. and continued this business working throughout the valley up until December 2007. They also were involved with the Master's Touch Ministries and became members of the First Christian Church in 1999. R.C. had a passion for the motorcycle ministries and was ordained into the ministry by the church on August 20, 2006. He conducted many Bike Blessings throughout Montana, Alaska, Texas, South Dakota, and served as the Chaplain for the Hermano Motorcycle Club for five years. Prior to being ordained as a minister, R.C. was a member of Gideon's International. He and Marilyn became involved with Academic Year in America in 1998 and have hosted 20 international exchange students in their home and have served as coordinators for the program the past four years bringing numerous students to the area. R.C. and Marilyn were also involved as foster parents and were parents to their foster daughter, Heather Ritchie, for three years. Another one of R.C.'s passions was spending time with the children at Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch. Among his hobbies and interests were telling stories about life and bringing smiles to people's faces, riding his motorcycle, playing golf, driving the bus for the Mariner's baseball team, driving the handicap school bus, substitute teaching at St. Ignatius schools, and supporting his wife with her singing and recording. Besides his parents, R.C. is preceded in death by a brother Dennis. Those left with cherished memories are his loving wife, Marilyn: a sister, Diane (Fred) Mercer: daughters, Angela (Matthew) Gregory and Teresa Murchie: two stepsons, Shane (Rebecca) Reno and Heath Reno and mate Sara: a stepdaughter, Tanya (Kyle) Ketchum: 6 grandchildren, Shane Lee, Chelsea, Mackenzie, Camron, Quinn, and Kale: two brothers-in-law, Joe (Sandy) Mathes and Tony Mathes: a sister-in-law, Marcia (Floyd) Counts, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation for R.C.'s friends and family will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2011, from 5 ' 8 PM at the Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, MT. Funeral services will follow on Friday, January 21, 2011, 3:00 PM at the St. Ignatius School Multi-Purpose Center, burial will occur in St. Ignatius. R.C. Murchie was truly an amazing, God loving man and will be truly missed by his wife, family, and friends. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for R.C.'s family.
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