Joseph Kelly Murphy passed away on Thursday, January 7th, at his home in Granbury, Texas. Joe was born in Reading, PA ,on February 25th, 1930, the son of Ernest Joseph Murphy and Alleyne Alexander Murphy. He was preceded in death by his children, Joseph Kelly Murphy, Jr., Connie Jean Murphy, and George Clifton Murphy.
Joe was reared in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and later graduated from Hollandale, Mississippi, High School and Mississippi College, where he participated in football and track. He received his Master’s Degree from Ole Miss and became Head Coach in all sports at Inverness High School in Inverness, Mississippi. After one year, he was named Head Football Coach at Mississippi College. During these years, he was married to Ruby Jean Oakes of Hollandale, Mississippi, and they had their three children: Joseph Jr, Connie, and George.
After coaching six years at Mississippi College, Joe served for 35 years as a General Agent with Fidelity Union Life while participating in the Masters Track and Field Club, winning two World Championships in High Hurdles and being named All American in Masters Track. During the Korean War he spent time in the United States Marine Corp, and later moved his family to Dallas, Texas. After retiring from insurance, he became Head Track Coach, winning two conference championships and Assistant Football Coach at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas.
His personal life has been filled with good family and friends and enjoyment. He will be greatly missed by those he left behind.
Survivors include: wife Jean Oakes Murphy (69 years married), granddaughter Melissa Roberson Shipp & husband Scott Shipp, great-grandchildren Cooper Kelly Shipp and Addison Grace Shipp, and one sister, Patricia Foster.
A Graveside Service to be held Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 1:00 pm in the Garden of Acacia at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX, 75225. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.sparkman-hillcrest.com.
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