John is survived by his true love, Joanna Brizendine Murphy of 43 years; children Sean Murphy and wife Anita, Deborah Thomas and husband Dereck; grandchildren, Andru Murphy and Ava, Alexa and Ashton Thomas; a fur baby that captured his heart from the first time he saw her, his yorkie, "Muffin"; stepfather, Charlie Denton; mother-in-law, Carol Taylor; brothers George and wife Marsha, Ronnie and wife Kathy and Mark Murphy; sisters, Pat Harrell Murphy, Crystal Murphy and several nieces and nephews.
John retired from the Newport News Shipyard after 45 years of service. He helped build many ships for the military that are still in use today.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved nature and the mountains. Every year during the week of Thanksgiving he headed West to the mountains to a special little cabin that he made a lot of memories with Sean and Andru as they bunkered down for a week to hunt deer. John loved to explore new places with his family and friends. He was never a procrastinator and was always eager for new adventures.
John had a passion for fixing broken objects like lawn mowers and cars or as he called it "tinkering". If he could fix it by "tinkering" with it then his mission was accomplished.
John was a good man and a Godly man and he will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
A Celebration of John's Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home 2551 N. Armistead Ave Hampton, VA 23666. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.
Please visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and offer condolences.
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