John Wayne Murphy (77) of Granbury, Texas, former long-time resident of Odessa, Texas, passed away Friday, November 13, 2015.in his home surrounded by his family and friends.
He was born October 8, 1938 in Killeen, Texas to James C & Ruby Leigh Murphy. John grew up in Hurley, New Mexico, graduating in 1956 from Cobre High School in Bayard, New Mexico. He entered the Army in January, 1957 earning an honorary discharge in November, 1959. He served in Arizona, Indiana and Korea.
He met the love of his life Karen Anne McKee on a blind date, and they married on December 2, 1961 in Big Spring, Texas. They would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary this year. He began his career in finance with GAC. As his career progressed, his family relocated to Plainview, Duncanville, and Amarillo, eventually settling in Odessa in 1973. John joined Dixie Electric in 1974, where he served as Controller for 38 years before retiring in 2011.
John worshiped at Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury, Texas. He was a long-time member of Temple Baptist/Crossroads Fellowship where he served on the Deacon Board. John’s favorite ministry was the weekly Saturday morning Men’s Prayer breakfast where he loved to cook, wash dishes and participate in fellowship. He is best remembered for his smiling face as a weekly Sunday morning Greeter, always offering a friendly handshake or hug.
John’s favorite past-time was spending time with his family. John loved to fish and camp with his daughter, son, and mother, and the mountains were his favorite destination. He loved to play golf with his granddaughter Meagan. John and his wife, Karen loved to travel. One of their favorite trips was to Israel in 2012 where he was baptized in the Jordan River.
John and Karen loved the time spent together over the last 40 years with friends in Odessa, and have enjoyed reuniting with long-time friends and making new ones over the last two years after relocating to Granbury, Texas.
He is survived by his wife Karen McKee Murphy of Granbury, daughter Kendra Murphy Slatton of Fort Worth, son Brandon Murphy of Nashville, Tennessee (and son-in-law Bob Collie), granddaughter Meagan Slatton Gilbert of Fort Worth (and grandson-in-law Cody Gilbert), brother James Murphy of Odessa, step-sister Evelyn Singleterry of Andrews, and step-brother Robert West of Abilene.
He was preceded in death by his Father & Mother, step-father Clarence West, brother Jackie Murphy, step-brothers Ralph West & Raymond West, step-sisters Yoma Fowler & Dora Henson, and father-& mother-in-law Lewis & Veda McKee.
The family will receive visitors at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home (601 N Alleghaney Ave), on Tuesday from 6-8pm. Dr. Griffin Jones will officiate a celebration of his life and his funeral service at 1pm on Wednesday, November 18 at Crossroads Fellowship (6901 TX-191 Frontage). Graveside services to follow at 4pm in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Big Spring, Texas.
Gifts in honor of John may be directed to Crossroads Fellowship Mission Fund or to the John Wayne Murphy Memorial Fund of the ALS Association of Texas (http://tinyurl.com/jwmurphy).
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