Ron Murray’s family was originally from Texas but he grew up in Arizona before his family came to Hemet 9th grade. When Ron entered high school as a freshmen, he always knew he liked to sing and dance. When a friend of his talked him into joining the school choir he also auditioned for a part. He became a pit chorus member which meant he wasn’t strong enough for a lead, yet. By the time he graduated from Hemet High School in 1969, he was playing many of the leads. But he fell in love with the performing way back then and the people that were drawn to theatre and choir and decided to pursue it as a career. After graduating from Cal State San Bernardino University, he worked at schools in Bloomington, Redlands and 19 years ago, came back to Hemet High, making a full circle of life in theatre.
While going through high school, he was faced with many challenges as all teenage students are, and there was once where he had a run in with his Hemet High School counselor, Mrs. Longe. The counselors statement to Mr. Murray was, “You can’t sing and dance your way through high school or life.”
Well, after 28 years of teaching, acting, performing, directing, building sets and characters, growing and learning, Ron Murray is now retiring from his biggest staring role of his life, theatre teacher at Hemet High.
Mr. Murray took time today to talk to his thespian troupe to inform them of his decision. Many of the students have not had time to process it yet, but when they do, they will know the man that they had the honor in knowing and working with was truly gifted and talented, he was able to reach out to so many with his kind and compassionate way, a way that would bring out the best in every student in every performance, from on stage, to the sound booth, the construction crew, costume, make-up and the countless hours of energy spent day in and day out so that his students could shine and become stars in every aspect of their lives.
Ron Murray did remind the students of one thing in his farewell speech, that they were wrong about him in high school, he COULD act, dance and sing his way through life. The only thing that many people could not see coming was how many lives he has touched in such a wonderful way.
We will miss you Mr. Murray. Enjoy your well deserved retirement with your lovely wife, Diana, and all your family and friends. We know you will be out in the audience watching us with pride as we carry on with you always in our hearts.
Always.