Daniel Moriarty

Daniel Murphy Moriarty, 79 of Richards passed from this life into the Heavenly realm on Monday, December 15 in Temple, Texas after suffering a massive stroke.

Born April 8, 1946, Daniel was the oldest of five children born to Cornelius Murphy and Amelia Husky Moriarty of Richards. From an early age, he was instilled with a strong work ethic and a deep respect for the land and livestock—values that guided him throughout his life.

On November 20, 1965, Daniel was united in marriage to Helen Smith of Richards. Their marriage of 58 years was marked by devotion, partnership, and shared purpose as they built and operated 3M Ranch, named for their children, Murphy, Stacie, and Jerry.

A lifelong cattleman and horseman, Daniel grew up horseback, working alongside his father. He often recalled doctoring cattle during the screwworm era in the 1950s and 1960s. He and Helen worked together raising cattle, horses and hauling their kids to livestock shows where they made many of their dearest friends.

Daniel loved a good gray horse and built a quality herd of American Quarter Horses featuring carefully selected bloodlines to produce horses that performed well in ranch work, rodeo and other events. Daniel was an AQHA 37-year consecutive breeder and AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder. He enjoyed seeing youth taking 3M horses and doing well in horse projects in several counties.

Daniel also loved Brahman cattle. Together with Murphy and Jerry, the cow-calf operation featured Brahman crosses that produced several champion pens of commercial heifers at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. 3M cattle also were sought for youth commercial heifer programs at various county fairs with numerous champion pens.

Committed to his community, Daniel served on the Richards ISD Board of Trustees, Grimes County Fair Board, and was an active member of the Grimes County Farm Bureau, contributing his leadership and experience to the betterment of local agriculture and education.

Daniel was proceeded in death by his wife, Helen, parents Cornelius Murphy and Amelia Moriarty, infant grandson Trent Murphy Moriarty and brother Lanny Moriarty.

He is survived by son Murphy Moriarty and his wife, Missy of Richards; daughter Stacie Higgins and her husband, Shawn of Rogers; and son Jerry Moriarty of Richards; grandchildren Zach Moriarty and wife Kelsey, Zane Moriarty, Morgan Moriarty, Pat Higgins and Kate Higgins; great grandchildren Maylee, Maddix and MylaRae Moriarty, sister Connie Kay Kimich and husband Daniel, and brothers Bobby Moriarty and Gary Moriarty and wife Charlene, and his nephews, nieces and many friends.

Serving as pallbearers are Zach Moriarty, Zane Moriarty, Pat Higgins, Ty Moriarty, Clay Theeck and Jeff Ketkoski.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.