September 30, 1954 – June 24, 2018
Son, Brother, Athlete, Nephew, Husband, Educator, Father, Uncle, Grandfather, Friend Keith Alan Murray was born on the 30th of September 1954 in Fresno, CA. His father, a school teacher, was Kenneth Alvin Murray Sr., and his mother, a hair stylist, was Isabel Perez Murray. He was the oldest of five sons. For kindergarten Keith attended Centennial Elementary School.
In the summer of 1960, Keith’s family moved to Palo Alto, California. His father was a doctoral student at Stanford while concurrently teaching languages and coaching football and baseball for the Palo Alto Unified School District. Keith became a lifelong Stanford Indian/Cardinal Football fan from 1960-2018.
Keith attended Ventura Elementary (1-4), Escondido Elementary (5-6), Terman Junior High School (7-9), and Gunn High School (10-12), class of 1972. During these years Keith enjoyed sports, scouting, and family outings. As an athlete, he played 8th grade Pop Warner Football for the Palo Alto Knights – including a trip to Hawaii. He was a varsity football player on the 10-0 undefeated football team for Gunn High School and the Team Captain for the league champion Gunn Wrestling team. As an adult, he coached the Benicia High School Wrestling team to a league championship, too. In scouting, he was elected by his peers as their ship’s Boatswain to lead ship 51 the Intrepid of Palo Alto. The eldest of five boys, Keith was a natural leader possessing the qualities humility and kindness.
Family outings included day sailing at Lake Loginita, Foothills Park, Lake Vasona, and Clear Lake. In Sea Scouts, Keith sailed the San Francisco Bay and Delta. Keith also loved spending time with his many cousins, aunts and uncles, and Christmas gatherings in SoCal. Keith participated with Palo Alto’s Neighbor’s Abroad as an exchange student in Mexico. As an adult, he continued his relationship with his adopted Mexican family and his adopted family from Spain, too.
Keith attended Chico State graduating with a Bachelors in Spanish in 1976. He worked for the Migrant Education program at Lindhurst and Rio Vista High Schools where he also coached football and track. Keith received his Master’s in Counseling from Sacramento State in 1981 and began his counseling career. Keith was a counselor at Vintage and Benicia High Schools. At Benicia High school, Keith also coached football and started the wrestling program leading to league champions. He was also a club advisor and became the head counselor at Benicia High School. Keith received his Administrative Credential from Sonoma State in 2004 and became Vice Principal at Benicia High School. He was also the Vice Principal of Redwood High School in Marin County. After a thirty-three year career as an educator, Keith retired in 2009. Keith shared his favorite thing about being an educator was getting to know the students and seeing them succeed later in life.
Keith loved to travel. He enjoyed several trips to Mexico, driving across the country, and visiting England, Spain, and Scotland. Keith had the ability to mix a love for both his Hispanic and Celtic cultures. He loved Mexican mariachi music as much as Scotland bagpipes, attending several Highland games per year. His politics were clearly for the downtrodden, the disposed, and the forgotten. He wanted all people to succeed and find their potential no matter their starting point in life or origin of birth. His favorite memory was the birth of his three children. He was loved by many and was a light for good, love, and meaningful connections. He will be greatly missed.
After a gallant nine-year fight with cancer, Keith was called home. He passed peacefully surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Keith is survived by his wife Peggy and son Kalvin both of Sonoma. Also, daughter Libby (Steve) and son Kyle (Jessica) of Benicia. He is also survived by his mother Isabel and brothers Kenny, Kelly, Kevin and Kraig all of Palo Alto. Keith also is survived by two granddaughters and a wonderful collection of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.