A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 2:00 PM in Porter Chapel at First Baptist Church, 212 12th St. Columbus, Georgia with Dr. Jimmy Elder officiating. Burial will be in Parkhill Cemetery with Military Honors. Family will visit with friends Friday, February 17, 2017 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Mill Room of Striffler-Hamby, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia. Please visit www.shcolumbus.com to leave a message of comfort and condolences for his family.
Gary Robert Murphy was born to Robert Earl Murphy and Virginia Merril Lang Murphy on September 24, 1943 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Western Hill High School in 1961 where he received a Letter in Gymnastics, after graduating he joined the U.S. Army, faithfully serving his country for 20 years Airborne. During his service for his country he was awarded the following: Silver Star; Bronze Star with 4 oak leaf clusters and V for Valor; Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster; Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 8 stars; 2 Armed Forces Service Medals; Army Service Ribbon; 2 Overseas Service Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Campaign; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Parachute Badge.
During his 20 years of service he served in the following places: Fort Benning, GA, 2 Tours in Vietnam, Fort Jackson, SC, Tampa University obtaining a Bachelors in Business (Boot Strap), Miami Recruiting Duty, Fort Bragg, NC, Seoul, Korea, and Fort Stewart, GA from which he retired.
After the Army he and his family briefly moved back to Cincinnati in December of ’83 then decided to move to South Florida, Palm Beach County. Where he purchased a cabinet company that became South Florida Kitchens.
In 1998 moved with his wife, Sandy, to Ellerslie, Georgia where he has resided since with his John Deere Tractor. Gary was an advocate for his fellow Veterans. He was passionate about assisting Veterans with challenges they faced after their service for our country.
Gary leaves his legacy to his loving wife of 50 years, Sandra “Sandy” E. Murphy; daughter, Kathleen Murphy; son, Daniel Murphy of Boynton Beach, FL; his lovely granddaughter, Emily and her fiancé Frankie Rodriquez; brothers and sisters: Scott Murphy, Richard Murphy, Linda Flaherty and Donna Parnell-Voith; numerous nieces and nephews; and lastly, his beloved pets, Wally and Bruiser. He was preceded in death by his son, David Murphy.
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