Leo Joseph Murphy Jr.

Leo Joseph Murphy, Jr. MD, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, physician, and sportsman, passed away in his home in Kingwood Texas, on June 14, 2022, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Leo was born on November 16, 1937, in Appleton, Wisconsin. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Marquette University in 1960, he went on to study Medicine at Marquette University School of Medicine, graduating first in his class (Summa Cum Laude) with a Doctor in Medicine in 1964. Leo was admitted into Sigma Pi Sigma, National Physics Honor Society, in 1959, and Alpha Omega Alpha, National Honor Medical Society, in 1963.

After graduating, Leo completed an Internship and Residency at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (Harvard Surgical Services) in Boston, and a Residency at Milwaukee County General Hospital. Leo then completed a tour of active duty with the United States Air Force as Chief of Surgery at Edwards Air Force Base, holding the rank of Major.

Leo entered private practice in General, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery in San Diego, California, in 1971. In 1985, he was Chief of Staff of Mercy Hospital. In 1987, he was a founder of Mercy Hospital’s Trauma program. In 1993, he added Bariatric Surgery to his specializations.

While Leo retired from medical practice in 2021, he maintained his 25-year plus medical-legal consulting practice until the very end.

All those achievements aside, Leo was a wonderful storyteller with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of many subjects. Always with a gleam in his eye as he recounted one of his many camping adventures.

Leo cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren and sharing with them his love of fishing, kayaking, golf, woodworking and photography.

In later years, Leo and his adoring wife, Lilia, spent their time traveling and could often be seen enjoying the Las Vegas strip, sport-fishing off the Florida Coast or spending time in the family bunk house in Montana fly fishing the Missouri River along with their loving dogs, Chelsea (nicknamed Poopie Girl by Leo), Muppet (his steadfast, loyal companion and “legal assistant”) and Cooper.

Lilia brought great strength and comfort to Leo in his final days and took care of him at home until he passed.

Leo is survived by six children and 2 stepchildren: Mary Murphy Russell, Joan Murphy Byrd, Patrick Murphy, Annie Murphy Loudermilk, Daniel Murphy, Judith Giarratano and Ursula Aviles. Leo also had eight grandchildren: Katherine Waddington, Amanda Krekos, AnneMarie Aristide, Marianne Lostritto, Nicholas Contreras, Christine Hankel, Lauren Cossio and Nova Giarratano. Leo also leaves four great grandchildren, with four more due to be born in 2022.