Dolphine Murphy

Graveside services for Dolphine Murphy, 91, of Tyler, are scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the County Line Cemetery in Timpson, with the Rev. Scott Wiley officiating, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. The nation has lost one more son from “The Greatest Generation”. Mr. Murphy passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at The Heights in Tyler. He was an only child, born October 25, 1921 in Timpson to Polk Bradley and Minnie Murphy. Dolph was a member of County Line Baptist Church for more than 20 years, and during that time, took care of the church upkeep weekly. Mr. Murphy was a Navy veteran of WWII. He was stationed in Hawaii as a 21 year old Chief Petty officer with the PBY-A sub patrol squadron twenty four. On the evening of December 13, 1942 while on a mission hunting enemy submarines, his plane went down in the South Pacific and out of a crew of nine young men, he was the lone survivor. He lived his life helping people in any way he could, whether you were a friend or a stranger. After the war, he returned stateside where he was introduced to Joan Lea Free of Houston. They married on October 2, 1948 in Galena Park, Houston. They were married for 63 years and raised two sons, Richard Lee and Gregory Alan. Dolph and Joan relocated to El Paso, Texas where he had a 30 year career with The Texas Company (Texaco) as head machinist for their El Paso refinery operation. He retired from Texaco and moved back to his beloved East Texas farm where he and Joan resided until 2003. They moved to Tyler in 2003 to be closer to the medical community and their son and daughter-in-law. In addition to his parents, Dolph was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Joan. He is survived by his loving family, sons, Gregory Murphy and wife Leann of Tyler and Richard Murphy and wife Mary of San Antonio; brother-in-law, Owen Free of Chaparral, New Mexico; grandchildren, Spenser Murphy and wife Christine of San Antonio, Arielle Daniel and husband Hugh of Austin, Devin Murphy of Austin and Erin Murphy of Tyler and by great-grandchildren, Patrick and Thomas Murphy of San Antonio. The family would also like to express appreciation to long time compassionate caregiver, Melody Huff and the staff of Home Aid Caregivers. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Mr. Murphy may be made to the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Northeast Texas, 211 Winchester Dr., Tyler, Texas 75701-8847

Dolphine Murphy

October 25, 1921 - January 3, 2013