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CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Mick McMurry, who pioneered natural gas production in Wyoming then used his fortune to aid the state university, died Tuesday at his home in Casper, the governor said.
There was no immediate word on the cause of death. He was 69.
Gov. Matt Mead announced the death of McMurry at a meeting of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission.
"I remember often his telling us he wanted to build a better Wyoming. I think we'd all agree here that he did," Mead said.
U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi issued a statement saying McMurry's death is a huge loss for the state.
"He had an ability to absorb information and make common sense decisions," said Enzi, a Republican. "He wasn't afraid to take risks."
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, also a Republican, released a similar statement.
"It's hard to think of a more generous person in Wyoming," Barrasso said. "While Mick will be remembered as one of Wyoming's most successful businessmen, his philanthropy and contributions to Casper and the rest of our state will never be forgotten."
Casper Police Chief Jim Wetzel said officers were called to McMurry's home early Tuesday. He said there was no initial indication of foul play.
McMurry graduated from the University of Wyoming and served in Vietnam before returning home to work for a construction company owned by his father, W.M. "Neil" McMurry.
Mick McMurry was a pioneer with his father and others in the production of natural gas from the Jonah Field and Pinedale Anticline in the 1990s.
In recent years, Mick McMurry and his wife Susie have made large donations to projects at the University of Wyoming and elsewhere around the state through their McMurry Foundation.
In its first 15 years, the foundation awarded more than $49 million, including grants to the Wyoming Technology Business Center, Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming, University of Wyoming's College of Education, and Wyoming athletic facilities.
He contributed to help build Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium, a tribute to the oil fields that generated much of the family wealth.
The death was first reported by the Casper Star-Tribune.
"What made Mick special is winning wasn't all that important to him," Tom Burman, university athletic director, told the newspaper. "It was about kids and developing kids and seeing kids who came from different backgrounds and different cultures come to Laramie and get a chance to experience our great state and people."
Peter Wold, a longtime Casper oil man and close friend of McMurry, described him to the newspaper as, "absolutely one of the kindest, soft-spoken people I've ever known."
Word of McMurry's death rippled through the crowd of oil lawyers, geologists, industry representatives and state regulators gathered at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission meeting in Casper.
"I think it goes beyond the energy industry. He set a precedent and legacy that is unmatched," Bob King, a former state oil and gas supervisor, told the Star-Tribune.
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Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com
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