John C. Murphy, Jr.'s Obituary
John C. Murphy, Jr., of Longview passed away unexpectedly at his residence early Monday morning,
December 22, 2008.
Memorial services will be 2 PM Saturday, December 27, 2008 at Trinity Episcopal Church with
Rev. Kevin Wittmayer officiating under direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview.
The only child of John Coffey Murphy and his wife, the former Edith Bott, John was born in
Shreveport on November 5, 1930. Four months later, the family moved to Longview, where John's dad
established John C. Murphy Paint and Glass Company in 1937-first located downtown, and later on
Mobberly Avenue. John excelled in football at Longview High School, graduating in 1948, and then at
the junior college of Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri, where he earned an associate
degree in 1950. After studying business administration at the University of Texas at Austin, where
he was enrolled in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps, he was commissioned as a U. S. Army
officer. He served a combat tour in Korea and completed his military obligation in 1954 with the
rank of First Lieutenant. Returning to Longview, John began a career in the family business, in
which he continued as proprietor after the death of his father. He married Betty Ann Jouett of
Shreveport on May 14, 1955, and they reared three sons.
Apart from his livelihood and family, John's life was one of service to his city, his fellow man,
and the church in which he was reared, Trinity Episcopal Church of Longview. While serving on the
city commission in 1966, he was elected as chairman, a post carrying the honorary title of Mayor-the
youngest in the city's history. At the same time, he was elected as a director of the Longview
Chamber of Commerce and as president of the Rotary Club of Longview, in which he continued active
participation from 1961 until his death. In addition, he was president of the Longview Jaycees,
co-chairman of the Gregg County Fair organization, president of Cherokee Water Company, a director
of the LeTourneau University Associates, and a member of the Masonic Order. An avid sportsman, John
was a member of Longview Hunting Club and Delta Fishing Club.
At Trinity Episcopal Church, John served many years in various leadership capacities: vestryman,
junior and senior warden, president of the endowment board and Men of Trinity association, parish
delegate to the annual diocesan council, licensed eucharistic minister, and member of several
diocesan boards. Upon retirement from the family business in 1994, John commenced a second career
as parish verger, acting as master of ceremonies and assistant to the rector chief pastor,
continuing in that position until his death.
John was predeceased by his parents and by his and Betty's eldest son, John Coffey Murphy III. He
is survived by his wife Betty, their sons Michael Ray Murphy of Longview and Robert Christopher
Murphy residing in Russia on an extended work assignment, and by their grandchildren, all residing
in Katy, Texas: Chelsea Ann Murphy and her mother Cathy; and Laura Elizabeth Murphy and Robert
Christopher Murphy, Jr., and their mother Andrea.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 906 Padon Street, Longview, TX
75601.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
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