Calvin Peay Murphy was born March 3, 1927, the third son of Perry Houston and Bland Vise Murphy. Calvin was raised in Saltillo, TN and was so proud of his river roots. He graduated from Saltillo High School and enjoyed attending reunions and reconnecting with childhood friends. The stories he shared with his children of his childhood gave them great insight to his playful spirit and sense of humor.
This sense of humor served him well through the years as he and his brother, John T., became the Kings of Practical pranks. Business at Murphy Tractor Company was never dull. Lifelong friendships were made as business, laughter, and politics all took place within those walls.
After high school graduation and college, and a brief stint in the United States Army, he returned to West Tennessee and married Eva Lois Maness on July 30, 1950. He joined his brother, John T., at Murphy Tractor where he worked for over 50 years. Calvin and Lois were lifelong United Methodist, enjoying fellowship with many friends and pastors. After retirement, Calvin began to buy, sell, and trade antiques. This hobby kept him and his wife traveling West Tennessee going to auctions and keeping up his booths at local Antique Malls. His bride of almost 60 years preceded him in death on March 2, 2010.
After battling Vascular Dementia for over three years, Calvin succumbed to its debilitating effects on June 16, 2013. Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, his wife, and his granddaughter, Jennifer Diane. He is survived by 4 children, a daughter, Barbara (Gil) Jarvis, and three sons, Calvin, Jr. (Carla) and Scott (Cindy) all of Jackson and David (Jane) of Germantown. Ten children loved calling him Granddaddy: Grant Jarvis, Brent Jarvis, Bland Honors (Jeremy), Mary McMillin (Curt), Margaret Dean (Brent), Anna Murphy, Hunter Murphy (Christy), Laura Miller (Derek), Ben Murphy, and Sarah Murphy. As the fourth generation was born, Granddaddy took on another bunch of kids to spoil and save quarters for: Chloe, Audrey, Sam, Ava, Tyler, Makayla, and Sawyer. Calvin is also survived by sister-in-law, Josephine Murphy, as well as niece, Libby Murphy and nephew, Perry Murphy, and Lois’s siblings: Bill Maness, Joceil Pryor, Helen Mullens, and Linda Holyfield.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 from 4-7 pm at George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel with services to follow on Wednesday at 3 pm in the Chapel. There will be a visitation prior to the service from 2 pm until 3 pm. Benny Hopper and Harrell Phillips will officiate the services and Don McLeary will officiate the burial at Ridgecrest Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Don Kirk and Norwood Jones, whose steadfast friendship to our Daddy was so appreciated by the Murphy family.
Our family is grateful to the staffs of Morningside Assisted Living of Jackson and Adamsville Healthcare for the care and love given to our Daddy. We are especially grateful to Maplewood Healthcare for allowing us to be able to bring Daddy home.
Memorial may be directed to Lakeshore Camp and Retreat of the United Methodist Church at 1458 Pilot Knob Road in Eva, TN, 38333 or online at lakeshoreuma.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18