Ben Murphy

Ben loved his wife of 48 years, Carol, and their four children, Robin Satyshur (Gary), Maris Davis (Mark), Rob Murphy, and Shannon Towe (Eddie); as well as his six grandchildren, Ben Satyshur, Elizabeth Davis, Angela Davis, Murphy Davis, Emma Towe, and Seth Towe.

Ben also loved the fellowship at Park Cities Baptist Church; his workouts at the Cooper Aerobics Center, where he was a founding member; his daily reading of the Wall Street Journal; and spending time with his family at his Dallas home and in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was also a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Kentucky Wildcats.

Ben proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. After his service in World War II, he attended Bowling Green Business University (currently Western Kentucky University) where he was president and salutatorian of his senior class and earned a degree in accounting, with honors.

Ben began his business career as a CPA with Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. in Nashville, Tenn. He was recruited by the Baptist Sunday Board as director of finance and management services, which he remembered as the most personally fulfilling work of his career. He then served as vice president – corporate relations, and a member of the board of governors at Genesco Inc., prior to moving to Dallas to assume the role as vice president of Tyler Corporation. After many storied years with his dear colleagues and close friends at Tyler, Ben “retired” to pursue other endeavors as a partner of Blackwell, Moore & Murphy Financial Corp., chairman of Southwest Feed Yards, president and CEO of Somerset Corp., and chairman of Feldkircher Wire Company.

Ben’s deep Christian faith was a central part of his life, which led him to serve his denomination in many capacities, such as Truett Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where Ben was the first non-clergy to serve as chairman of the board of trustees. Ben found tremendous joy in his many roles at Park Cities Baptist Church, especially his position as a deacon, his service on countless committees, as well as his beloved Sunday School class, the Floyd’s Faithful.

Over the years, Ben also sat on the boards of numerous organizations including Baylor Medical Center Foundation, The Tyler Cup Foundation, Baptist Foundation of Texas, Concord Trust Company,

Throughout his life, Ben took great pleasure in Republican politics, beginning with a key leadership role in Maxey Jarman’s Tennessee gubernatorial race. He remained active and supportive of Republican causes, and especially enjoyed debating and discussing political matters.

Ben’s generosity, kind heart and gift of encouragement were his defining qualities. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a loyal friend to all. His life and legacy is one that will always be remembered.

A memorial service celebrating Ben’s life will be held at Park Cities Baptist Church sanctuary, Dallas, Texas, (located at Northwest Highway and Preston Road) at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013 with a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions to Park Cities Baptist Church, P.O. Box 12068, Dallas, TX 75225.