Roy William Murphy Jr.

1923-2004

Roy Murphy, age 81, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2004 in Concord, California after an extended illness. Roy was born in Anderson, Indiana on October 20, 1923. Her graduated from Elkhart High School and as a young man joined the US Army Air Corps. During World War II he was stationed in England as a gunner on a B-25 Bomber and participated in more than twenty-five missions over Europe. After the war he enrolled at Arizona State University and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He earned his BA in Business Administration. Roy returned to the Midwest after college and began a career as a Chamber of Commerce Executive. He and his new family moved to Antioch, California in 1960 where he served as the Antioch Chamber of Commerce President and General Manager for 14 years.  Roy loved golf, horses, boating, travel, Arizona State Sun Devils, Giants baseball, San Francisco 49er football and numerous family pets. His sense of humor, ready laugh and love of life will be missed by all who knew him.

Roy is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (John) Rodrigues of Knightsen, Carolyn (Bob) Graham of San Ramon, his ex-wife and friend Ruth Murphy, his grandchildren, John (Andrea) Rodrigues, Sonnet Rodrigues, Kevin Graham and five great grandchildren. His sister Beverly (Ray) Reber of Elkhart, Indiana, his nieces Lindsay (Mike) Gordon and Roxanne (Joe) Gross.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Riverview Lodge Restaurant in Antioch, California on Saturday, January 8 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Friends of the family and all those who knew him are invited to attend.    

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to American Legion Harding-Noia Post 161, Roy Murphy, Jr memorial fund, PO Box 98 Brentwood, Ca 94513.