Obituary: Muir, Carl Everett
Age 84
We miss his kind and gentle spirit that touched so many.
Carl was born November 21, 1930 in Asotin, WA to Tilda (Gunkle) Muir and Edgar Halsey Muir.
He moved with his family to Pullman, where he graduated from Pullman High School in 1949.
While in high school, Carl shined in cross country and baseball; playing for the local Friel’s Eels Baseball team.
He attended Washington State University where he played baseball for Buck Bailey.
He joined the Farmhouse Fraternity.
He graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture.
He followed with his Master’s Degree in 1955.
He was drafted into the army one week after finishing his master’s program.
He spent the next two years at Fort Ord, California.
After his discharge, Carl returned to Pullman where he began his career as an Agronomist in the WSU Barley Breeding Program under Orville Vogel.
He retired in 1995 after 37 years of developing barley varieties that could withstand disease and drought.
In 2013, Washington State University honored him by naming one of those varieties after him; “Muir Spring Barley”.
Carl loved Cougar Athletics.
He would attend any and all WSU sporting events, and quite often practices as well.
He cheered for his beloved Cougars no matter how successful (or unsuccessful) the season was, but he especially enjoyed trips to the Rose, Copper and Alamo bowls.
He enjoyed sports, so after his competing days were over, he turned to officiating.
He was part of the WSU Track and Field officiating crew for many years.
He was a softball umpire for Pullman Parks and Rec, and a football official for the local high schools.
In 1989 he met the love of his life, Ruth Romine.
They married in 1992.
They loved dancing and sharing Chicken Nuggets at McDonalds.
They were inseparable until her death in 2014.
Carl is survived by his two daughters, Karen Mitchell and Starla Muir; his step children, David Romine, Theresa Smith and Scott Romine; and nine grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings, Edgar Elsworth Muir, Margaret Agost, Carroll Muir, Lenna (Max) Coulter, Howard Muir and Earl Muir; his beloved Ruth, and stepdaughter, Jill Romine.
A Celebration of Carl’s Life will be held on Monday, August 31st, from Noon - 2:00 p.m. at the Ridge Point Clubhouse, 1400 SE Fancy Free in Pullman.
Carl will be laid to rest next to his beloved Ruth at the Pullman Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cougar Athletic Fund or the Washington State University Foundation.
Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with local arrangements.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bruningfuneralhome.com