James Murdoch, 74

James Wallace Murdoch died in an ATV accident on his ranch in Ruby Valley, Nev., on June 16, 2026. He was born Aug. 23, 1951, to Eilene Murphy Murdoch and William Wallace “Wally” Murdoch in Elko, Nev. He spent his youth between town and the family ranch in Ruby Valley, developing the work ethic from an early age that would ultimately be his hallmark. Jim was a gifted athlete and was good at every sport he tried, but baseball would be his focus throughout his youth and high school. Even on the ballfield, though, his heart was always on the ranch. 

At the age of eighteen, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Brummell, on Sept. 6, 1969. They had three kids, Brooke, Kym, and Ryan, in Elko before moving their family to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1980. It was in Idaho that Jim began his career working as a millwright in several sawmills in the area. He quickly became known for his intelligence and ingenuity, the guy who could fix absolutely anything. His mechanical aptitude was second only to his work ethic, always working long hours and often multiple jobs to support his growing family without a single complaint. On the verge of retirement, Jim and Shirley were preparing to finally make the ranch their permanent home again, after all these years.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and Shirley had a lifelong love story that began in their early teens and continues to this day. Jim was a calm, steady presence to his family. He loved each of his grandchildren very much and delighted in watching them grow up around him. Often, he was the only one who could calm a crying baby and was the first one to roll around on the floor and play games with the kids. His friends and family relied on him as the fixer and builder of all things, and he was always quick to help anyone who needed it. 

Jim is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Shirley; their children, Brooke (Tom) Curry, Kym (Clint) Madsen and Ryan (Laura) Murdoch; and grandchildren, Kendall Curry, Kamryn Curry, Brody Madsen, Jamie (Preslee) Murdoch, Hailey Murdoch and Ashley Murdoch. 

The Murdoch family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Jim’s dear friends, Alan Sharp, Pam and Lanny Morrison, and Trey and Jess of the Sharp Ranch for the extraordinary effort in locating him after the accident, and Henry and Mia Krenka for their love and support. The kindness of our dear neighbors will never be forgotten. 

Although our hearts are broken, we are comforted knowing that he took his last breaths where his soul has always lived.