Ty Murray Irving

November 21, 1990 - March 12, 2016

Ty Murray Irving Ty Murray Irving was born in San Francisco on November 21, 1990 and died on March 12, 2016 at the age of 25 years, three months, and 21 days. He both arrived and left us earlier than expected. As an infant he relished life, aggressively crawling and grunting, determined to move forward to explore the world he loved.  He laughed and frolicked with the family pets in preparation for Pepper, a black Labrador retriever who was to be his special friend for 17 years. Pepper died in his arms last summer. Once he was in a gathering of children sitting on the floor for a reading of The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. When the teacher asked Ty what he thought the story was about he said, "The cycle of life," showing his ability for abstract thinking at a young age.  Ty had the good fortune to be a world traveler, although he seldom mentioned the fact, maintaining contact with friends in many places. Ty was a natural intellectual and scholar.  A voracious reader, he loved a gathering of folks, sharing spirits and conversation.  In our own travels, we very occasionally encounter a companion who sees things we seldom notice or think about.   So was Ty, the observer with a masterful turn of words.  In a recent essay, commenting on a novel with a theme about life and death, he wrote: But above all things, it is the affirmation of life before death; not the celebration of pleasure, but of purpose where the impossible wire walker mirrors those who walk the streets.....This may be the central power of the novel; much like an article of clothing falling from the wire walker, so the body follows on the day of death, from the immense and terrifying height of life into the unknown.....when a life's performance is over, like the man who danced along a wire, what remains eternally is the space that was filled. Each space is only filled once by one particular person.  The space between the two towers was never filled the same way by another, and the end does not undo the magic that such a presence had. Ty, we thank the author of all good things and you for gracing our lives with your own special magic.  We cherished your companionship and the moments you walked with us. We will always remember your wit, knowledge, gentle ways and special smile. The words of eden ahbez seem to speak of Ty: There was a boy, a very strange enchanted boy. They say he wandered very far, very far, over land and sea.  A little shy and sad of eye, but very wise was he.  And then one day, one magic day he came my way.  And as we talked of many things, fools and kings, this he said to me, "The greatest thing, you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return. Please consider leaving a comment in memory of Ty.