PHOENIX – Philip Anthony Murphy, 63, peacefully returned to our Lord Tuesday, February 2 at 10:23 am surrounded by family at Banner University Medical Center. Phil left us after a 3-week hard fought battle with complications due to COVID-19. He was born August 13, 1957 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to a family of farmers that soon moved to Phoenix when he was only 6 months old. He graduated from Tempe High School in 1975 then joined the Air Force planning on traveling the world but instead was stationed at Tucson, AZ. After discharge, he studied Engineering at ASU then on to NAU where he became a lifelong member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, ZO Chapter and continued to be a participating member to this day.
Phil was a man of devout faith in God, a man who loved and served his family in every way imaginable, and a man who saw no distinction between his closest friends and his family. To say that he will be missed hardly scratches the surface, as hundreds of neighbors, friends and family mourn the loss of a man that never let them down and never took more than he gave. He will be remembered as a man of a gregarious laugh, sense of humor, gift of gab, and was always helping others. He was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. STA parishioners knew him as “the Donut Guy” where he faithfully served donuts after each Mass. It is fondly recalled by those who knew him, that Phil Murphy could pack five years of life into one – an anecdote that hints at his enthusiasm for a life lived full to the brim.
Phil left us far too soon and is preceded in death by few immediate family members including his father Eugene Murphy.
He is survived by hundreds of loved ones that still feel the immense light that he leaves behind in death, especially his wife of 25 years, LeAnne Murphy, his son Kevin and daughter-in-law Francesca, his daughter Lauren, and his beloved Pitbull, Scout. The first of his 5 siblings to go, he leaves behind brothers Terry (Pam), Michael (Jody), and Steven (Sherrie), sisters Beverly Rockvam (Greg) of Hemet, CA, and Joellen Tenison (Jay) and all of their families that have known the joy and happiness of their Uncle Phil to be infectious. Finally, he leaves behind his loving mother Irma Murphy plus hundreds of extended family members located in Texas, California, Nebraska, Colorado, and Iowa – all of whom Phil loved so much.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. Seating is limited but the Mass will be live streamed at www.staphx.org. His place of final interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. A Celebration of Life is planned near his birthday in August.
His family would like to thank the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and staff who took such great care of him at Banner as well the love, support, thoughts, and prayers of his neighbors, friends, family and even those who didn’t know him personally. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you donate to one of his favorite charities; Knights of Columbus and Saint Vincent de Paul.
Condolences, stories, and photos can be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Patty Niedermyer
So Very Very Sorry
We’re Long Time
Family Friends.
From Iowa.
Doyle’s From Imogene.
Prayers Prayers Prayers To All The Family
Beautiful Family
Phil Was Awesome.
God Bless You All
Patty (DOYLE) Niedermyer
Formally
From IMOGENE Iowa.
Now Pisgah Iowa.
Patty & Tom Niedermyer
1604 Laredo Ave
Pisgah Iowa
jodi Harrington
Leanne, Lauren, Kevin and Fran. Grandmother, Beverly, mom, Terry, Mike and Steve.. your spouses, my cousins and all whom loved Phil.. you’re in my thoughts and prayers as we navigate this tremendous loss.
Joanne Doyle Faul
We are so very sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. He was like a cousin to us and we enjoyed his laugh, sense of humor and zest for life. He will be greatly missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers
virginia vasilev
So sorry LeAnne to read about Phil’s passing. God bless you and your whole family. With you in spirit, Virginia Vasilev
David Lopez
When I was working at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, as a weekend maintenance employee (janitor), Phil was always there to help me set up the tables for Donut Sunday. I wanna think we had great fellowship sharing our faith. Phil was a great conversationalist – he always cheered me up . I was broke as a joke – Phil gave me donuts. I will be eternally grateful for that. Rest in peace Phil, my brother. We’ll catch up later.
Andy Kelly, Jr
To Phil’s entire family, I’m so sorry for the loss of a genuine guy. I met Phil when he returned to NAU when I was a pledge and got initiated at the house on Birch. Phil was larger than life and full of personality. Phil taught me how to build a campfire in the middle of the forest with snow on the ground with wet wood, I passed on his fire starter secret, and shared with my own pledge sons going forward. Every time I light a campfire no matter what the conditions I think of Phil. I saw him at the 50th anniversary of Sigma Chi at NAU and we chuckled about the old times and his beloved family. We reconnected in the past 6 months and got caught up, who would have known this would have been the last time I spoke to him.
God Speed Phil, Keep them laughing in heaven.
In Hoc
Jim Tweedley and Dorothy Baran
Dearest Murphy Family,
Our hearts break at this sad news. We are grateful to have known Phil. He never hesitated to share advice, good wishes, and laughs with us. We offer our condolences and deepest sympathy. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May Phil Rest In Peace.