James Barber Murphy

1926 - 2017

James Barber Murphy obituary, 1926-2017, Durango, CO

BORN

1926

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue

Durango, Colorado

James Murphy Obituary

Lt. Col. James Barber Murphy, 90, died Sunday, March 5th, 2017 at Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado. A Funeral Service with will be held at Hood Morturary, 1261 E. 3rd Ave., Durango on Saturday, March 11th, 2017 at 10:30am. Following the service, a burial with military honors will occur at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.

Jim, the son of Martin and Aurora Murphy, was born in Gallup, NM April 30th, 1926 and was a 43 year Durango, CO native. After graduating from Gallup High School in 1944, he joined the Navy during WWII and entered ground school for flight training at University of Iowa in 1945. After 6 months there, WWII ended and Jim was discharged.

He was then accepted to the Naval Academy at Annapolis and graduated in 1951. He was assigned to the US Air Force and began flight training in Chandler, AZ where he met his wife Marjorie Reed Murphy of Stevens Point, WI. Marjorie was a Lab Technician at Good Sam Hospital in Phoenix. Marge and Jim married in Gallup, NM in 1952 and began their military travels. Jim spent some time in Alaska, and was stationed primarily at Shaw AFB South Carolina, Laon Air Base France, the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA and Langley AFB, VA. He flew the RF80, RF84, and RF101 and flew reconnaissance missions in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Jim received two distinguished flying crosses and two air medals.

He Retired as Lt. Col in 1970 after 20 years served and moved to Durango, because he had visited it once as a kid and it stuck with him. In Durango, he was a licensed Real Estate agent and small business owner running Sundance Traders (Indian Jewelry/Rugs), Columbine Antiques, and Fruitland Trading Post in Fruitland, NM with friend/business partner Bob Jacobsen.

He volunteered with the local Red Cross, Purgatory Ski Team, and was Lions Club President. He was a local private pilot who flew medical deliveries to Albuquerque, for Kangaroo Express, towed gliders and co-owned an airplane with late great friend and aviator Art Olson.

He was preceded in death by Marjorie Reed Murphy (Wife) of Durango, Ted Reed Murphy (Son), and Charles Murphy (Brother) of Albuquerque, NM, Martin Jennings Murphy of Gallup, NM (Father), Aurora Mae Barber Murphy (Mother) of Gallup, NM.

Jim is survived by David Mark Murphy (Son) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Daniel James Murphy (Son) of Castle Pines, CO, Nathan Murphy (Grandson) of Colorado Springs, CO, Katie Lambert (Granddaughter) of Colorado Springs, CO, Amanda Wu (Granddaughter) of Dayton, OH, Laura Spies (Granddaughter) of Cordova, MD, Caroline Diane Murphy (Niece) of Santa Fe, NM, Bobbie Joe Murphy (Niece) of Santa Fe, NM, and 10 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

Published by The Durango Herald on Mar. 7, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for James Murphy

Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.

Not sure what to say?





2 Entries

It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.

A. H.

March 10, 2017

You have my prayers for your family.

Shannon Kelso

March 9, 2017

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results

Make a Donation
in James Murphy's name

Memorial Events
for James Murphy

Mar

11

Funeral service

10:30 a.m.

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

Mar

11

Burial

Greenmount Cemetery

Durango, CO

Funeral services provided by:

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue, Durango, CO 81301

How to support James's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor James Murphy's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sponsored