John Patrick “Pat” Murphy, 75, died August 1, 2023, at his home, freeing his body from the excruciating pain he had endured for 15 years. He was born January 16, 1948, in Norton, to Gerald Earl and Marian E. (Powell) Murphy.
Pat graduated from Scott City High School, and then entered the United States Army. He served in the Army for two years, participating in the 98th Army Band while in Fort Rucker, AL. Pat loved music from the time he was a little boy, growing up on the farm. He played with various groups ranging from the Ted Smith Orchestra Dance Band in Hays to the Colenwald Concert Band and the Covington Community Church Orchestra, both in Georgia.
After Pat was released from the Army, he began employment in Scott City, where he initially owned a business repairing typewriters and adding machines, until the opportunity arose for him to start Scott County trash service. It was during this time that Pat was introduced to computers, and his fascination with them grew. He soon became a certified computer programmer. Pat worked a variety of jobs in the computer industry, from teaching classes at Northwest Kansas Area Vocational Technical School in Goodland to a banking computer programmer in Atlanta, GA.
Following Pat’s stint in the computer industry, his pastor shared a need for volunteers to go to Grenada to help build a house for missionaries on the island of Carriacou. After returning from Grenada, Pat felt the calling to continue being a missionary. He and his wife, Janice, travelled for four years in a motor home raising funds to begin their mission in Carriacou. They then resided in Carriacou as missionaries helping to operate a Christian radio station before returning to the states. When Pat’s health allowed it, he continued to remodel and build homes. Pat’s hobbies also included mechanical and metal work, woodworking, model railroading, and earning his pilot’s license. He was a member of Wheatland Baptist Church, McPherson.
On June 16, 1984, he married Janice Buckman.
Pat is survived by: his wife of 39 years, Janice; children, Kathy Hase, Ken Murphy, and Patricia Murphy (Cassin); bonus children, Kathy Claar (Kris), Nola Shelton (Nathan), and Barb Snell (Jason); 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Mike Murphy; half-brother, Darrell Murphy (Mavis); and his former wife, Dianna Kume.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Wheatland Baptist Church, 1139 McKinley, McPherson, KS, with Pastor Brian Ernsberger officiating. Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2023, at the Norton City Cemetery, Norton, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the John Murphy Memorial Fund (for the purpose of scholarships), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.