Thomas Murphy

Family-Placed Death Notice

THOMAS BAILEY MURPHY Thomas Bailey Murphy, 83, the longest serving Speaker of a State House of Representatives in American history, died on Monday, December 17, 2007 at his residence in Bremen, Georgia. Mr. Murphy shaped modern Georgia history as much or more than any other individual. An exceptional "country lawyer" from Bremen, he was first elected to the Georgia House in 1960. From 1974 through 2002, Murphy presided over the House chamber during one of Georgia's greatest period of population growth and economic prosperity. Mr. Murphy was born on March 10, 1924 to the late William Harvey Murphy and Leitta Jones Murphy of Bremen, GA. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Agnes Bennett Murphy of Bremen; brothers James Rutherford Murphy and Eugene Harvey Murphy of Bremen and Earl Murphy of Tennessee; an infant sister; and son-in-law John Frederick Oxendine of Bremen. A Navy veteran, Mr. Murphy served in the Pacific Theater for over two years during World War II. His public career began in the courthouses of west Georgia where he practiced law in the firm established by his brother and mentor, James, whose crippling arthritis often required him to carry his brother up and down courthouse staircases. He began his political career as a member of the Bremen Board of Education. Often characterized as a stern ruler, Speaker Murphy's reputation was tempered by the reality of his tenderheartedness. He truly believed and often said that those less fortunate should not have to start out life with two strikes against them. Tom, as he was called in his native Haralson County, left a legacy of fiscal restraint, social caring and deep belief that as Atlanta goes so goes the rest of the state. His rural roots never stood in the way of progressive policies that enabled the capital city to become an international juggernaut. Murphy's support and leadership directly led to the World Congress Center, the Georgia Dome, and even the Centennial Olympics. Georgia doubled its investment in higher education during Murphy's tenure - while cutting taxes, not raising them. As was the norm throughout his political career, Murphy's close-knit family was present during his final moments. He is survived by son, Judge Michael L. Murphy and daughter-in-law Carol Murphy of Bremen; daughters, Martha Murphy Long of Bremen and Lynn Murphy-McAdams and son-in-law Kenneth M. McAdams of Bremen and Mary Murphy-Oxendine of Bremen; grandchildren, David Bailey McBrayer (wife, Lisa) of Bremen, M. Chad Long of Bremen, Holly Long Otwell (husband, Michael Scott Otwell) of Bremen, Lauren Murphy Ray (husband, Todd Sidney Ray) of Arlington, GA, and Lyndsey M. McAdams of Bremen; great-grandchildren, Hunter Perkins of Bremen, David B. McBrayer, Jr. and Matthew McBrayer of Bremen, Tyler Scott Otwell and Martha Grace Otwell of Bremen, Thomas Sidney Ray and Murphy Kathleen Ray of Arlington. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive Mr. Murphy. Speaker Murphy will lie in state at the Capital Rotunda from 11:00pm - 4:00pm on Friday, December 21, 2007 and from 6:00pm - 11:00pm, December 21, 2007 at the West Central Technical College in Waco, GA. Services will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 11:00am at West Central Technical College in Waco, GA. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Bremen, GA. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in memory of Thomas Bailey Murphy to The UWG Speaker Murphy Office Fund, University of West Georgia Foundation, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118. Statements by Friends and Colleagues: Former State Representative, Bill Lee of Clayton County, one of Murphy's closest longtime allies, commented, "Tom Murphy loved this state. He made many sacrifices for the betterment of our state during his long tenure of leadership. His unparalleled, dedicated public service and accomplishments ensured that our state prospered and moved forward. He left the campsite better than he found it. I and this state have lost a dear and caring friend." Zell Miller, whose years as Lieutenant Governor (1975-90), Governor (1991-98) and U.S. Senator (2000-2004) paralleled Murphy's tenure as House Speaker, said, "Shirley and I are deeply saddened by the loss of a great man and a dear friend. Speaker Murphy touched our family over the years as he did many others and we grew to respect and love him more and more over the passage of time. He will live on in our lives and in the lives of others who knew him. "We knew Speaker Murphy as a very strong, able and complex man who had a hand in everything that happened in Georgia politics for the past half century. His legacy will live on as future generations benefit from his far-sightedness and dogged determination to make for them a better life. Shirley and I join his legions of friends in expressing to the Murphy family our heartfelt sympathy." Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home & Crematory, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886-9899