Dr. Gene Murra, age 78, of Brookings, died Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview. Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2015, at St. Thomas More Parish in Brookings with Fr. Larry Ort of St. Paul's Episcopal Church officiating. Memorial visitations will be 5-7 p.m., Friday at Eidsness Funeral Home. Gene Eldon Murra was born on September 20, 1937, to Andrew and Fannie (Bultena) Murra at Worthing, SD. He graduated from Worthing High School in 1955. After graduation, Gene graduated with his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from SDSU. He then transferred studies to The Ohio State University, where he earned his PhD in Agricultural Economics. Gene married Carol Adams in 1958. They were blessed with four children. Dr. Murra began his teaching career at Louisiana State University where he taught for five years. He then taught at Mississippi State University for two years before returning to South Dakota. In 1969 he moved his family to Rapid City where he served as the Resident Director of the Minuteman Missile Program. On March 15, 1975, Gene and Barbara Huckabay Brug were married in the Chapel at Ellsworth AFB South Dakota. In June of 1975, they moved to Brookings where Gene began teaching as a Professor/ Economist and Livestock Marketing Specialist at SDSU and conducted meetings throughout SD and the Midwest states. During that same period, he along with Art Sogn, originated Midwest Marketing Analysis (MMA). At one time, the program held the highest viewing rating for a PBS show in South Dakota. He retired from SDSU on September 30, 1997. Dr. Murra was honored as Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Alumni. Gene was also active in the ROTC program. He began as a member of the ROTC as a freshman in college and retired in 1987 from the US Army Reserve at the rank of Colonel. Gene was an active and faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookings and served twice as Senior Warden. He was an extremelymodest man and loving father. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include his wife, Barb of Brookings; children, Gail Tischler, Lynne Del Rio, David (Samantha Wright) Murra, Sue Murra, Tiffany Heyduk and Shelley (Tonya) Brug; grandchildren: Andrew Tischler, Emily Tischler, Trent (Julia Tebben) Heyduk, Tucker Heyduk, Michaela Del Rio, Jamie Murra, Abigail Murra; one great-grandson, Damian Fortugaliza; and Gene's special friend, Sunny (Yorkie). Gene was preceded in death by his parents; son Scott Brug; and brother, Duane. In Lieu of flowers, Dr. Murra's wish is that memorials be sent to St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Brookings or the Brookings Humane Society.