Strike King Mourns the Passing of Ray Murski

Strike King Lure Company mourns the passing of co-owner Ray Murski. Mr. Murski was an instrumental force in building Strike King into one of the most recognizable names in the fishing lure industry.

Ray Murski was also co-owner Murski Breeding Sales, a sporting goods representative group, and was known as an icon within the outdoor industry. Ray passed away Monday afternoon after his vehicle was involved in an accident near Burnet, Texas.

Murski, 72, was considered one of the pioneers in the professional bass fishing world. In 1967, he was part of the inaugural field of anglers in the first B.A.S.S. tournament held on Beaver Lake in Arkansas. Mr. Murski finished in the top five of that event.

“It’s a tremendous loss," said Kevin VanDam. “There are very, very few people you meet in your life that are as impactful as Ray Murski. He gave a lot to a lot of people.”

VanDam, who was upset over the tragedy, echoed the sentiments of many of the fishing industry's icons.

Bass fishing superstar Denny Brauer, who had become a close friend of Murski’s over the years, said he was having a difficult time accepting the tragic news.

“This is so hard for me and Chad and our families," Brauer said. “Ray did so much good in his life, and most people didn’t know about it. He believed in youth projects, and he and Mandy [Murski’s wife] poured countless dollars into projects to benefit young people.

"Ray wasn’t in it for the glory of it — and that says so much about his character. He was big-hearted financially and emotionally. He is going to be missed by the fishing industry as well as the hunting industry.”

Brauer described Murski as intensely competitive in anything that interested him, especially fishing and hunting.

“Ray excelled at anything he did,” Brauer said. “If he was going to do something, he was going to do it as well as it could be done. He had a natural ability in outdoor sports. If he had elected to tournament fish for a living, he would be a household name in the fishing industry.”

Ray was also very instrumental in the hunting industry as a conservationist and also introducing youth to the sport.

Texas Wildlife Association President Jaimie Hayne recognizes Murski's numerous contributions to the TWA family. "We are so fortunate to have been associated with Ray Murski. TWA is thankful to have had an individual involved in its organization so dedicated to the future of hunting in Texas. He not only donated or arranged for the donation of equipment and supplies for youth hunts, he worked with John Anderson to provide items requested on TWA's wish list and hosted a field day."

The sports of bass fishing and hunting have lost one of their greatest ambassadors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ray's memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Ray Murski Memorial Fund, Inwood National Bank, Dallas, TX, 214-351-7250.