Pioneer NLV pharmacist Earl dies in California at 81

Tuesday, June 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Murdell Canfield Earl, longtime owner of E&T Drugs in North Las Vegas and a former 51-year Las Vegas resident, has died in Poway, Calif. He was 81.

Earl, the first head of the pharmacy department for Valley Hospital in the early 1970s, died of cancer on June 10.

Earl also was a noted horseman who served with the sheriff's mounted posse, where he rode in the inaugural parades in Washington, D.C., for Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John Kennedy.

His drugstore not only filled prescriptions for 23 years but also sold products ranging from pet supplies to horse tack to fireworks.

"Kids back then knew to go to E&Ts to get their Fourth of July fireworks -- the display filled an entire wall," said Earl's niece, Sarah Kay Walker, a longtime Las Vegan.

"The drugstore also had a soda shop that was a popular teen hangout in the 1950s and '60s -- it was the place to go. And my uncle was a real apothecary, who actually put together medicines to help people."

Earl opened E&T Drugs on Dec. 5, 1946, on the spot where the Palomino nightclub now stands on Las Vegas Boulevard North. He closed it in 1969 to retire. But, when the Valley Hospital post was offered two years later, Earl was back in medicine.

"Valley Hospital is certainly one of the most deluxe operations I have ever seen," Earl said in a Dec. 6, 1971, SUN story announcing his appointment.

He retired for good in 1976 and moved to Poway near San Diego, but continued to visit Las Vegas frequently during the last two decades.

Born Oct. 22, 1914, in Enterprise, Utah, Earl came to Las Vegas in 1931 with 35 cents in his pocket, which he spent on a bath and a haircut, Walker said. He would go on to not only build a successful business, but also acquire significant real estate holdings in the state.

A 1934 graduate of Las Vegas High School, Earl attended the University of Austin (Texas), where he majored in medicine. In 1946, he graduated from the Capitol College of Pharmacy in Denver.

His education was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the Army as a private in 1941 and was honorably discharged as a captain in 1946.

Earl's career as a pharmacist in Las Vegas included 10 years as president of the state pharmacy board.

In 1974, he was awarded the prestigious Bowl of Hygea for outstanding pharmacy.

A lifelong active member of the LDS church, Earl served in several capacities, including high priest.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, LaRae (nee Crockett) Earl of Poway; two sons, Gerald Earl of Las Vegas and Ronald Earl of Scripts Ranch, Calif; two brothers, Wayne Earl of Las Vegas and Evan Earl of Laverkin, Utah; two sisters, LaVetta "Betty" Butler of Las Vegas and Opal Ellis of Hurricane, Utah; and seven grandchildren.

Earl was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

Services were held in California. No local services are planned.