Memories of Roy E. Murphy

In memory of

Roy E. Murphy

Yountville, CA, USA

February 20, 1942 - September 26, 2018

Feb 20, 1942 - Sep 26, 2018

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Tom Murphy

2014, California, USA

Visiting Roy at Yountville Veteran's Home

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Jeff Murphy

2023, Riverside, CA, USA

Murphy mini family reunion — with Sister Vicki, her 3 daughters Tammy, Rebecca and Emily. Brother George's 3 sons, Russ, Jeff and Scott. Their wives, Pam, Laura and Deborah.

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Comments:

Jeff Murphy

We had a good time sharing memories and my brothers teasing me (Jeff) that I look like uncle Roy if I had... Read more We had a good time sharing memories and my brothers teasing me (Jeff) that I look like uncle Roy if I had a guitar in my hands…I... Read more We had a good time sharing memories and my brothers... Read more

Tom Murphy

1962, Paris, France

Roy joined the army short time after I did in 1961 and was stationed in Baumholder, Germany. while I went to Bussac, France near Bordeaux. Our cousin Tova Christian was living in Paris then and we made a date together to visit her and see some of the sights. We stayed in a charming little hotel near where she lived and she showed us some of the places in Paris the average tourist never gets to see. and we had a lot of fun. Roy heard that Ray Charles was going to perform at the Olympia Theater while we were there and we were able to secure what I thought must have been the last two tickets as we didn't have regular seats but a something that folded into the aisle off of a regular seat that you could sit on. Ray Charles was terrific and we had seen a legend perform at his peak.

Another time a few years earlier I had an old blue 1955 Fod my older brother George had sold me and I took Roy on a little road trip to Tonopah, Nevada. We stayed in a vintage looking hotel with a claw foot tub and although we were both obviously young nobody asked us what we were doing there or gave us a hassle using the slot machines. The car was not in great shape and on the way home through Bishop, CA the engine started overheating as the elevation got higher. With the aid of a lot of water in the radiator we were able to make it home though it was a scary experience. Roy was fun to travel with and was my closet buddy growing up in a family of six brothers and a little sister.

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Jeff Murphy

So sorry for your loss Caitlin, I do have fond memories of my Uncle Roy from my elementary and teenage years. His guitar playing was magical, along with his wit and sense of humor. He was kind of like a Mark Twain, with his wild hair, limericks, whistling from the back of his throat and blowing smoke rings one into another made a lasting impression on me. I also remember him being a Paratrooper in the Army which fascinated me so much that I too became a Military Jumper. He had showed me (when I was young) how he “Airborne” laced his boots, and to honor him I laced mine the same way for the 35 years I was in the Air Force. My regret is not making more of an effort to visit and stay in touch with him. However, I am thankful for Tom and Maria for their keeping in touch with him and all the family.

Your Cousin, Jeff

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Thomas Murphy

2017, Veterans Home of California, Yountville, California Drive, Yountville, California, USA

Tom & Maria's annual visit with Roy in October

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Thomas Murphy

1972, Santa Rosa, California, USA

Caitlin and Roy

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Thomas Murphy

1965, Covina, California, USA

Best man at his brother Tom's wedding. A handsome devil!

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Gregor Dodson

2001, Yountville, CA, USA

I met Roy some time in 2001 when I first started dating Caitlin. He was already living at the Veterans home and had aphasia from his stroke a couple of years earlier. Though he had some trouble speaking he had plenty to say. We eyed each other a bit at first, Roy weighing me up and trying to decide if I was worthy of his beloved daughter, me trying to figure out if this man that Caitlin spoke so highly of was warming to me, or merely being polite. We hit it off in no time at all.

When we visited we'd take him to lunch and then go get a pizza for him to take back to the home for later. His aphasia frustrated him, but the twinkle in his eye when he was thinking of something hilarious grew brighter as we figured it out and joined him in the joke.

I wish I'd known him when he was healthier, the way Caitlin speaks of him. We would have had a lot more to talk about, and a lot more time than his hospital scheduled allowed for. But I'm honored to have spent the time I did with him over the years, and glad that Elise and Stella got to know their papa.

I miss you Roy.

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