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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Sep '96
Morgan Joyce Murphy
No. 16121 Class of 1946
Died 2 march 1995 at Flossmoor, Illinois, aged 73 years.
Interment: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Flossmoor, Illinois. |
Morgan Murphy was known to his classmates and associates
as Murph. Murph was born in Chicago, Illinois on 7 October 1921
and began his love of the military while attending Onarga Military
School in Onarga, Illinois. He later graduated from Leo High
School in Chicago where he was a good athlete and member of the
school newspaper and year book staffs. Upon graduation, he followed
his military pursuits by attending West Point where he graduated
in 1946.
Throughout his career, Murph was known for his
perseverance and tenacious desire to overcome obstacles. This
was best summed up by his lifelong friend and West Point roommate,
Jack Vaci, who said: "He was like a pit bull in overcoming
academic, physical or athletic obstacles." After leaving
the Army, he went on to get a Masters degree; it was relatively
easy for him after his West Point academic trials. Jack also
remembers that "Murph was very good natured, but could take
a firm stand on his beliefs."
John Stratis, Murph's other roommate recalled,
"Murph's devotion to his future wife, Virginia, started
early in his life. In my letter home of 17 March 1946, I wrote
that Murph was practically floating in air all the time because
'Virg' was up here. Other memories of Murph's cadet days are
his sun-burnt face and neck after parades - everything not screened
by his hat's visor was red; his cheerful outlook no matter what
the situation; his being very forthright in his dealings with
people; and his being a true friend who could be relied upon
at all times."
Murph was on the Army Boxing Team each of his three
years and earned his USMA Monogram. At graduation, he became
a second lieutenant of Infantry. While on graduation leave, Murph
married Virginia O'Connell on 15 June 1946 in Chicago, Illinois.
Following basic Infantry schooling and Jump School
at Fort Benning, Georgia, Murph was assigned as a Company Commander
with the 31st Infantry in Korea. In 1948, when US troops pulled
out of Korea, he was assigned to the 187th Airborne Infantry
Regiment. In 1952, he went to Oregon State College as Assistant
PMS&T. The Murphy's next traveled to Germany where Murph
was assigned to Hqs, Seventh Corps. Murph resigned in 1961 to
try his hand at civilian life. He first gained his Master of
Social and Industrial Relations from Loyola University in Chicago.
In 1963 he joined the Crane Company in Chicago as a Systems Analyst.
He remained with Crane for almost twenty years until he retired
in 1982. He progressed to Supervisor, Employee Benefits; Personnel
Manager and finally Manager, Facility Services for Crane. In
the early 1990's, Murph developed serious heart problems which
precluded his being able to have a much needed surgical hip replacement.
His condition deteriorated in early 1995 and Murph died 2 March.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia; five sons,
Michael, Stephan, Mark Peter and Daniel; and a daughter, Susan;
two brothers, William and Edward; and a sister, Mary; twenty
grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A.J. McElroy was a longtime friend and fellow employee
of Crane Co. with Murph. He wrote: "'Play the ball as it
lies; putt everything out - no gimmies.' Bad Lie? 'Only suckers
beef.' or 'Dems da breaks.' That's the way Murph played golf.
He played the ball as it lay. In retrospect, I believe that Murph
met the ups and downs of life like that. He accepted whatever
came, took no unfair advantage and gave it his best shot. That
attitude coupled with a deep faith in God, love of family and
concern for others sort of sums up his philosophy of life. Murph
was not a soft touch in his business dealings. He often said,
'A clean desk is the sign of a cluttered mind. A few other of
his sayings that I remember are: Reprimand; 'I had to whisper
the love of God in his ear.' Undeserved request; 'Nothing was
too good for him and that's what he got.' Work foul-up; 'Nobody
died.' As a result probably of West Point training and Jesuit
philosophy from Loyola, Murph had very positive views as to right
and wrong, acceptable and non-acceptable and was a staunch supporter
of what are now referred to as traditional values. We all miss
him."
Jack Vaci and Mac McElroy both remembered that
Murph had often said that in spite of his serious health problems,
how much he wanted to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary
and make it to the 50th Reunion of the USMA Class of 1946. That
was not to be, but as Jack Vaci said, "We'll miss him but
I know he'll be with us in spirit."
The Class of 1946 is proud to join his family and
friends in proclaiming, "Well Done, Murph; Be Thou At peace!"
'46 Memorial Project and his wife, Virginia
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