Harry Murphy

Dad, as I sit with you in these early morning hours, I consider myself so lucky. I treasure these moments and use them to reflect on life as your daughter. Mark and I are so fortunate to have you as our dad - life was never boring. The lessons you taught will be passed down to our children, as you were a patient teacher and a diligent task master. Thank you for all that you have done, and I love you! Harry Murphy, also remembered as The Sod Father and the Manure Entrepreneur, enjoyed a long, joyful, healthy and spiritually fulfilled life of 85 years. He was born in a converted box car near Bricktown on June 28, 1924, and his heart beat for the final time on earth April 29, 2010. We are comforted knowing his next breath was in heaven. He was the son of Beulah and Wilce Murphy. He attended Bath Elementary, Webster Junior High, Central High, OU, and graduated from OCU in May of 1950. Entering the Army Air Corps on July 5, 1943, Dad served in the Pacific until March of 1946. He met Dorothy Anne Goodson in the fall of 1949 at an OCU function, and they married in August of 1950. He served in the United States Air Force again during the Korean Conflict, receiving his discharge papers on April 15, 1955. He and Mom returned to Oklahoma City, after living in Japan, to start his business, Lawns by Murphy. For 55 years, he has had his hands in the dirt. Always a man of the land, he spent his life working with soil, sod and trees. His passion for hard work, travel, his family and his church were evident in daily life. His departure leaves us sad, but we rejoice knowing that he is with his personal Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ. We stand together as we reflect on this blessed life; wife, Anne; daughter, Tami; son, Mark; son-in-law, Trip Moore; grandchildren, Clif and Hannah Moore and Ellen Anne Murphy; sister, Elaine Daniel, as well as many special nieces and nephews.