Obituary of James Michael Murphy

On June 19, 2020, the world lost an amazing person.  James Michael “Jerry” Murphy passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack.  With his passing, his life partner Cathy lost a loving devoted soul mate; his family lost a friend, mentor, and the backbone of the family; and many friends lost the best friend that a person could possibly imagine. 

Jerry was born on April 12, 1947, to Pat and Jean Murphy and lived in Tracyton for his entire youth, attending Central Kitsap schools from kindergarten through the 12th grade.  He was very involved in athletics during his school days, including playing varsity basketball at CKHS.  He was also active in student government while in high school, and was “Boy of the Month” in February of his senior year, and chosen as “friendliest boy” by the senior class Hall of Fame.  Jerry attended Olympic College for some time following high school before transitioning into the work force with PNW Bell.  He continued to work in the communications field as his company changed ownership to AT&T and finally Lucent Technologies.  He retired from Lucent in 1999.

Jerry also served in the Army National Guard from approximately 1967 to 1972. 

In 1983, Jerry met his eventual life partner, Cathy McClanahan.  The two of them became inseparable and eventually settled in the Olympia area, the last 20 years in their beautiful home just south of Black Lake.  Jerry and Cathy enjoyed vacationing in their camper together, as well as taking frequent vacations to Las Vegas and Mexico.  The vacations were much needed relief from their constant projects and other duties, the jewel being their current home in Olympia.  Cathy revealed a romantic side to Jerry recently which most of us never knew existed when she unveiled a stack of love letters and notes from her man.  “Pa” and “Honeybee” had an incredibly special relationship. 

 Jerry was a pure Northwesterner through and through.  Not many days went by where he was not crabbing or shrimping from his cabin at Seabeck, digging for razor clams on the Pacific coast, or salmon fishing out of Sekiu.  He was a true Seattle sports fan, following the Mariners and Seahawks through good and bad.  It would not be unusual to see him hovering over the barbeque, grilling oysters and tipping a cold one, while expounding on the Mariners’ most recent losing streak.

Although Jerry and Cathy had no children of their own, Jerry was the greatest uncle imaginable.  Uncle Jerry!  He and Cathy created a yearly Easter basket hunting adventure, which was unparalleled and that nieces and nephews will treasure for their entire lives.  He was also the master of elaborate pranks on the kids, which will become stories told for generations to come.  From providing tractor rides to his favorite great nephews to setting off M-80s, there will be no other uncle like Uncle Jerry!

Jerry was an exceptionally busy person.  He was not comfortable unless he had several projects all in process at once.  Just like his father before him, he could fix most anything, especially if it involved wood.  He was a master craftsman.  However, Jerry possessed an unusual combination of traits.  While he was an absolute perfectionist, he was also very frugal.  He could not drive past a Habitat for Humanity outlet without stopping and looking for a bargain.  Yet, most everything that he created was functional and well done.  His current home in Olympia is the best example of his capabilities.  Jerry designed and built this home piece by piece and it is a jewel to behold.  The labor of his love!

We will all miss Jerry dearly.  His big personality, infectious laugh and humorous personality have taken us all in.  But he will live on through all of our great memories, such as his and Cathy’s over the top costumes that generally won top prize at our many family festivities.  This is just one example of the many memories that we all have shared.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Jean Murphy.  He is survived by his life partner, Cathy McClanahan; brother, Dennis Murphy; sisters, Darlene Demick and Shellie Friedrich (Ted); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, great nephews and dear friends who all loved him so much.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to Habitat for Humanity in memory of James (Jerry) Murphy.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.  Please remember all those wonderful “Murf’ memories to share when we can meet in person to celebrate Jerry’s life. 

You may also share memories and photos of Jerry or condolences for his family on the Tribute Wall to the left.

 

 

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