Joseph Michael Murphy

Joseph Michael Murphy (aka Mike) was born on December 14, 1940, in Dallas, Texas, and peacefully passed away on March 22, 2022.  He is survived by his brother John Murphy, sister Shannon Murphy Gaffney, niece Hannah Murphy Rankin, his first wife Rebecca Murphy Martin, and children Joanna Plymale, Donald O’Neill, Lisa Spellman, Michael Murphy, and Sean Murphy.   

He is preceded in death by his parents, his second wife Edwina, and son Brian Murphy.  He has nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  

He served 20 years in the U.S. Army before retiring in Fort Ord, California, as a Major in 1982.  He was in the Army Special Forces, saw lots of action in Vietnam, and was the General’s Aid in Bangkok, Thailand.  For his brave acts of service, he was awarded numerous medals, including several Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.  He also had a second career working as Postmaster in the Moss Landing, California post office for 13 years before retiring in 1996.  He was a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys, a member of Mensa, and a Dallas Jesuit alumni. 

For the past seven years, he lived with his daughter Lisa and her husband John. He enjoyed playing “Oh Hell” cards with his grandsons (Matthew, Daniel, and Christopher), working out at the senior center with John, getting in the swimming pool, watching hockey and football, going out to dinner, and just being outdoors.  

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