FLOYD LEE MURPHY ROCKFORD - Floyd Lee Murphy of Rockford departed this earthly life Thursday, March 27, 2014, in SwedishAmerican Hospital, after a long illness. Floyd was born Jan. 30, 1935, in Memphis, TN; the son of Dan and Mary Elizabeth Murphy. Floyd lived over 50 years in Rockford, coming from Chicago. He married the former Callie Morehead in Rockford, November 25, 1978. He was employed as a machine operator by Gunite Foundry. Floyd was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Jehovah's Witness, attending the Harrison Street Hall. Floyd loved music. He played the lead guitar recording and performing with Junior Parker, Willie May Thornton and Rufus Thomas to name a few. He also played with many bands throughout the Rockford and Wisconsin area. He attended schools in Tennessee, later to receive his GED. Lloyd leaves to cherish many loving memories, his wife, Callie; son, Floyd Murphy Jr.; grandson, Detrick Murphy-Friar; great-grandson, Demarion Friar; brothers, Matt (Cathy) Murphy and Dan Murphy; a host of other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; stepson, Travis Walker; two brothers; and two sisters. Services will be held 12 noon Friday, April 4, 2014, at Abundant Life Ministries, 3015 S. 4th Street. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Arrangements completed by Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home, 2429 W. State Street.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
To Buck, Callie Mae and the whole Murphy Family, Jack and I want to express our deepest sympathy to you on the loss of Murphy, one of the most influential blues guitarist in our history. It was his recordings with Junior Parker on Sun Records in the early 50s that influenced the likes of Elvis Presley's guitarist Scotty Moore, Jimi Hendricks, and Magic Sam to name just a few. Floyd Murphy was one of the greats and has left his mark in this world on the music he loved. We were grateful to have shared so many gigs with Floyd and to have gotten to know the gentle, kind- hearted man who grooved like a rare few! Looking back at him on the bandstand and seeing him grin as he got the crowd going with his distinct guitar solo is one of my fondest memories. As we travel our journey we will continue to remind people of the guitarist we were honored to have had on our band and the fine music he brought to all of us. We will do a musical tribute to Floyd Murphy on WMSE Radio 91.7 fm in Milwaukee, WI on Friday April 25th at 3:00.
Our best wishes always,
Geneva Red & Jackie 5 & Dime
Geneva Red & The Roadsters
Geneva Red
April 15, 2014
To my very best friend and awesome father...i don't think there will ever be a day that i won't be thinking about you dad,i have so much to be grateful for by having you as my father and teacher.you have help and touch me and so many people with your thoughts and expertise on life and music. Dad when they made you they broke the mole you we're absolutely hands down one of a kind.I am so glad that i came back home to care for you and was able to spend more time fishing and enjoying listening to some great jazz and blues with you dad....i miss you so much but i will stay strong and carry your torch till the day i come to visit you....love you so so much.
Floyd L. Murphy Jr.
April 8, 2014
mr murphy absent from body present with lord bukey was my child hood friend we are like brother hold bukey we will all be togarther in hevenyougod bro bro Sinatra foot
April 7, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Van Avant
April 6, 2014
Sorry for the loss of a great Musician and friend. Played with murphy at the elks in 1968 one weekend and also played on a session in Wisconsin in 1970,a song called,communication,i played bass(electric).he was a blessed musician.
Samuel P. Barmore
April 6, 2014
Grandad im missing you so much and I am always gon miss you, love you, respect you, and continue being the man of whom you raised form a minnow to a whale. Im going to be honest grandad its gon be so hard for me, dad and your great grandson (double bubble) is what you call'em, and granny. Man.. im so lost of words right now and forever will be. Grandad the three of us men (your boys) are going to carry this torch that you have passed down to us. Its going be alot of pain grandad so don't worry about us because we are going to continue to be the men of who you created. STRONG MEN!!!! Also grandad tell my mom, grandmother, uncle we love them sincerely your grandson Detrick...
Ps .
Im sending this message up
detrick murphy
April 4, 2014
My condolences to the family.
Oscar Wilson
April 4, 2014
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Mr. & Mrs. William Bernel & Family
April 2, 2014
Floyd, So sorry for your loss, words cannot express the pain of losing a father, a Dad. Eddie and I are thinking of you in this time.
Dan King
April 2, 2014
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.
Henry & Georgia Wilson
April 2, 2014
To my beloved nephew Detrick Murphy Friar and big brother Floyd Murphy I'd like to say earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal.Let God do his job and never question him. We dont know what God just save Mr Murphy and you both from going through. We are going to praise him in spite of the pain.We the Friar family love both of you and will be here to support you in anyway that we can during and after the funeral. We are just a phone call away. Love Tea Friar Williams
April 2, 2014
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