Patrick Leo Murphy

Patrick Leo Murphy (known by most of us as “Pat”) ended his battle with Parkinson’s disease on December 4, 2021. Born on October 20, 1953, in Spokane, WA, he was the son of Thomas Murphy and the late Gloria Huff (Portrey). After graduating from Mead High School in 1972, Pat went on to obtain an AA degree in forestry. During this time, he was a snow ski instructor at Jackass (Silver Mountain) and a DNR Wildland Firefighter. Soon after, he met the love of his life, Patty Murphy (Inglis), and they were married in the summer of 1977. Pat and Patty started their own business together in 1979 called Home Environments, selling hot tubs, saunas, solariums, and decks. Other than his business, Pat’s pride and joy were his two daughters, Lindsay and Whitney. As they grew and discovered a passion for volleyball, Pat and Patty founded Spokane Splash Volleyball Club, which gave his daughters (and hundreds of other young women) the chance to play volleyball on an elite, national level. When he wasn’t watching his daughters play volleyball, Pat loved to be at his lake cabin on Lake Pend Oreille. He was at his very best when he was bass fishing, huckleberry picking in the mountains, water-skiing and snow-skiing, mountain biking, and simply enjoying nature. Once his daughters were grown, Pat became an avid woodworker, creating stunning tables, dressers, and gifts for his family and friends. His talents were endless. Pat gained two sons-in-law, Jordan Tampien and Cameron Smith, both of whom he adored. In 2015, Pat became a grandpa, which topped the list of his favorite titles. He was also honored to be the godparent of Keagan and Kinkade McMurray (Darcy and Aaron McMurray). After 37 years of operating Home Environments, Pat retired and sold his business, which is still open and thriving today. Pat loved his family so well and touched so many lives in his 68 years. We believe he is catching all the bass, eating all the cookies, and catching up with his beloved friend Todd Clifton in heaven.

Pat is survived by his wife Patty of 44 years, his daughter Lindsay Smith (Cameron Smith), his daughter Whitney Tampien (Jordan Tampien), his grandchildren Logan and Finn, his father and bonus mother Tom and Marge Murphy, his brother Tom (Mike) Murphy, his sister Kathy Jones, and his half-brother and sister Kevin and Marla Huff.

An intimate, private celebration of life will be held by Pat’s family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate a toy to Toys for Tots, which was one of Pat’s favorite charities and had become a holiday tradition he did each year with his daughters (toysfortots.org).