Alvin Rush Murphy Jr.

Alvin R. Murphy, Jr. passed away in Winter Haven, Florida, on April 13, 2022 at 96 years old. Born February 3, 1926 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Alvin grew up on the Murphy Farm, which was settled in 1797 just outside of town by his great-great-grandparents, Robert and Martha Murphy. An only child, he grew up in a multi-generational home with his great-uncle, John Rush Murphy, who regaled him with tales of Union troops moving through the farm during the Civil War. Alvin often rode his pony to nearby Ritta Elementary with his cousin, Sarah Murphy, with whom he was close friends and often got into a lot of mischief. Sarah introduced him to his future wife, Joan Perry, and they were married in 1947.

Alvin graduated in 1942 from Central High School, where he was a member of the golf team, a cheerleader, and a wrestler. Alvin enrolled at the University of Tennessee and transferred to the Navy V-12 program at Duke University where he graduated in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned as Ensign in the Naval Reserve. While at Duke, he was inducted into the engineering honor society, Delta Epsilon Sigma, and was president of the Engineering Club. In 1946 Alvin joined the engineering firm, Wallace and Tiernan, in the manufacture and sales of equipment for water treatment. He moved his young family to Winter Haven FL in 1948 when the citrus industry and towns were booming and became regional manager for sales and service before he retired in 1990.

An avid member of the Lake Region Country Club Men’s Golf Association, Alvin was a powerful player, winning the club championship four times, including a memorable 18-hole playoff against his son, Michael. His wife, Joan, was in a bind as to whom to cheer for that day, but finally decided on the man she had fallen in love with. Alvin was also a two-time Commodore. Later in retirement, he and Joan enjoyed playing at the Blowing Rock Country Club—where they and many of their friends enjoyed the cool mountain summers, and he played competitive golf into his mid-80s.

Alvin is predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Edith Joan Perry, his parents, Alvin Rush Murphy Sr. and Eliza Jane Rule, and his son, Michael. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Catherine Murphy (John Manuel), grandchildren Kevin Murphy, Steven (Amy) Murphy, Jackson Manuel, and Allison Manuel, and great-grandchildren Jacob and Emma Murphy. Interment will be at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Alvin Murphy’s name to Compassionate Care Hospice, 2525 Drane Field Rd, Suite 4, Lakeland, FL 33811.

As Alvin would say, “Bye bye and buy bonds!”