Fred Thomas "Tom" Murphy

1930 - 2018

Murphy, Fred Thomas "Tom"
Jul 5, 1930 - Feb 24, 2018
Fred Thomas Murphy, known to many as "Tom", passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 24, 2018, in Sarasota, FL at the age of 87.
Tom was born in Sarasota, FL in the area now known as Shenandoah Park, to Grady Murphy and Margaret Sines Murphy.
He attended Central Elementary School and went on to Sarasota High School. He was Senior Class President, Captain of the Band and played clarinet in the Band as well. He was also an athlete participating as a 1/2 miler on the Track Team and an End on the Football Team. He graduated from Sarasota High in 1947. He continued his education at the University of Florida where he earned a B.A. and a Masters Degree in Education. He worked his way through college playing music in the Florida Favorites Country Band.
During his working career he enlisted in the Marine Corp where he received a meritorious promotion to Cpl. due to his command of a platoon as their Drill Instructor. He returned home to Sarasota to work for the Sarasota County School District. He worked at Brookside Junior High School, moving to help open Riverview High School. Tom was instrumental in naming the Riverview Kilties and headed their first uniform drive. Due to his musical acumen he composed the words and music to the first Riverview Fight Song. He was an Assistant Football Coach and Scout as well as the Track and Cross Country Coach. He was the last king of the Sarasota Desoto Pageant sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Later in life he played country music with his lifelong friend Clyde Wiggins in their band "Class Reunion".
Tom's wife of 42 years, Dorothy (Ives) Murphy predeceased him in death, along with his sister, Helen (Murphy) Miller.
Tom is survived by his daughters, Victoria Murphy (Kenneth) Donner; Cynthia Murphy, both of Sarasota; his granddaughter, Courtney Donner (Chris) Taylor; his grandson Seth (Ashley) Murphy; and his sister, Dorothy (Murphy) Chambliss of Clewiston, FL. He is also survived by his step-children; Ruthann Stange (John) Kah of Ashville, NC.; Carla Stange of Ft. Bragg, CA; Charles Stange of San Francisco, CA; and step-grandchildren, Bess, Tara, Charlie, Emma, Madison and Emily along with several great-grandchildren.
A memorial to celebrate Toms life will be held at a later date.