JAMES ARTHUR MURPHY

James Arthur MURPHY Age 78, born April 1, 1932, passed away January 20, 2011. Born in Yakima, the second son of Esther and James A. Murphy, Jim met his wife-to-be, Janet (McDonald), at the age of five in dance class. He graduated from Davis High and went on to Stanford University, where he studied accounting and law, played for the Varsity Water Polo team, and was President of the Fiji fraternity house. He and Janet married while Jim was attending Stanford Law School, then moved to Seattle in 1956. After passing both the California and Washington State Bar exams, Jim joined the law firm that would later become Ogden Murphy Wallace. He was elected President of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters in 1961 and held that position until his retirement in1988, when he was named Broadcaster of the Year. During his tenure with the WSAB, he became a nationally-recognized authority on the FCC, and authored several books on the subject. Also in the early 60's, Jim was named City Attorney of Edmonds, where, among other things, he helped create the Edmonds Underwater Park, believed to be the first municipally-owned underwater park in the U.S., and which today is a destination for divers from all over the world. Jim was the principal moving force to get broadcast microphones and cameras into Washington State courtrooms. In his career, Murphy tried over 300 cases, and had only three adverse jury verdicts. Jim had three children with Janet: Ron, Terri Gietzen (Daniel), and Tamara Nelson (Erik), and nine grandchildren. Dad instilled his love of the outdoors, especially snow skiing and Scuba diving, in all of his kids (resulting in 3rd generation divers). Winter weekends the family hit the slopes, while summer weekends were spent in the San Juan Islands, where Dad and friends built the cabin we cherished on Henry Island. We are so grateful for the San Juan legacy he and Mom provided for us and our families. An avid reader, Dad eschewed fiction for weightier stuff, especially history, current events, and just for fun, physics. He was a self-taught artist using oils and acrylics, and also had a passion for Asian cooking. He was a loyal Stanford fan and follower. Dad was a shining example of honor, dogged integrity and hard work, and anyone could go to him with any problem and know that he would help to sort it out. We will deeply miss his intelligence, his wise and measured counsel, his dry (and sometimes corny) sense of humor, his dimples, and his blue eyes. Jim was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Janet, in 2005, and his beloved brother, Ron. The family wishes to thank the wonderful care Dad received at the Ida Culver Nursing Home. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 at 3:00 at the Community Christian Fellowship Church (CCF) at 615 Glen Street in Edmonds. Following the service will be a reception at the Edmonds Yacht Club, 326 Admiral Way. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Edmonds Food Bank, or a charity of your choice.