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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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Roy Murphy, beloved father of Caitlin, father-in-law to Gregor and grandfather to Elise and Stella, passed away peacefully after a long battle with heart disease at the Yountville Veteran's home on September 26, 2018.
Roy was born in Venice Beach, California on February 20th, 1942 to Verda and Harold Murphy. He was the 5th of seven children and is survived by his siblings George Murphy, Tom Murphy, Vicki Mills and Michael Murphy. His brothers, Keith, Dave, and Wayne pre-deceased him.
Roy joined the Army in 1961 and served with distinction as a paratrooper in the first brigade of the 8th Infantry division. When his service was over, Roy traveled the world - living in Germany and Spain and learning both German and Spanish. When he returned to California in the late 60s, he made his career in the mental health field and was a psychiatric nurse for over 30 years, work in which he took a great deal of pride.
In 1972 Roy married Patti and they had one child Caitlin in 1976. Although they divorced, Roy and Patti stayed close and cordial over the years. Caitlin and Roy had a special bond, and he shared his love of poetry, music and the offbeat side of life with her from her earliest years.
Roy moved to the Veteran's Home in Yountville in 1999 and lived there until his death. The staff at the home took incredibly good care of him through a series of heart attacks and a major stroke. He loved living in the beautiful setting and having regular visits from his family while there. Roy always liked to sit and chat with his daughter and son-in-law and took joy in his bright and beautiful granddaughters. He enjoyed yearly visits with his beloved brother Tom and sister-in-law, Maria at the home as well.
When given a choice between the well-trodden and interesting paths in life, Roy always chose the latter. He was an iconoclast, never ceasing to question and challenge institutions and ideas and live in non-traditional ways. He loved art, poetry, music and learning as much as he could about the world. Anyone who knew Roy, knew of his virtuosity on the classical guitar, his love of the written word, his skill with a pun and his sharp mind. These interests and loves are his legacy - passed down to his daughter and being actively fostered in the next generation.
We will miss him with all our hearts.

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