Wayne Murphy

Rodney Wayne Murphy (better known as Murph) of Amarillo, Texas passed away on March 12, 2023, at the age of 80. His funeral service will be held Friday, March 17, 2023 at 2 PM at Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 Bell St, with Garry Sutton officiating. Murph was born in Childress, Texas to Roddy Frank and Minnie Beatrice Murphy as the youngest of three children - by 15 years. He attended schools in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1961. The first 15 years of his law enforcement career were dedicated to the Amarillo Police Department where he served as patrolman and detective sergeant. At the same time, he attended Amarillo College and traveled back and forth to Plainview, TX, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Wayland Baptist College. He later was hired by District Attorney, Danny Hill, as an investigator for the 47th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Murph retired in December, 2006, as Chief Investigator of the DA’s Office. After retirement, he continued to keep a foot in the law enforcement community by working as Bailiff for the Potter County Grand Jury for several years.

He was a founding member of Amarillo Crime Stoppers and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He was a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church for almost 40 years, where he served in various positions, including President of the Church Council and as Chair of the Building Committee.

He was the immediate past treasurer of the Sandie Classics group and was the 1961 representative on the Board of the Directors of the AHS 50th Alumni Association. He joined the Masonic Lodge and was a 32nd degree Mason and received his Scottish Rite.

Murph enjoyed watching football and was a huge fan of the Texas Longhorns after his youngest son attended the University of Texas, as well as a continuing fan of the Dallas Cowboys - just BECAUSE! He learned carpentry from his father-in-law, Marvin Bains, and enjoyed all phases of woodworking, including building decks, shops, furniture, and totally remodeling the last home he would move into in 1997.Throwing pottery became his passion for about 10 years when he let his creative juices flow by making full sets of mixing bowls for his wife and kids as well as a variety of styles of bowls, vases, cups, wall hangings, etc.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother John Murphy and sister Faye Bridges.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 60 years, Gwen Bains Murphy; his children: Stacy and wife Konni; Kelly and wife Amy; and, Matthew and wife Astrid; his grandchildren Talon Wilk-Murphy, Hauk Wilk-Murphy, Thomas Murphy-Perez and Ethan Spears; brother by choice, Marvin Bass; and bonus daughter, Jodi Miller, among many other friends and family whom he cherished.

Murph dedicated his life to serving his family, friends and community. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.