James Patrick Murphy

James P. Murphy, 64, died unexpectedly Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in Billings. He was born Feb. 9, 1944, in Missoula, the son of James P. and Alice Evelyn (Hughes) Murphy, Sr. He attended school in Missoula, graduating from Sentinel High School. He spent his junior year of high school studying abroad in Rio de Janeiro. He received his bachelor's degree in 1966 from Amherst College in Massachusetts, majoring in economics and minoring in geology. He then returned to his home state and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1969 from the University of Montana Law School and was selected to be an associate editor of the Montana Law Review. On Aug. 10, 1968, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann O'Loughlin at St. Gerard's Parish in Great Falls.

From 1969 to 1971, Jim worked as a law clerk for the Honorable James F. Battin. He then was a partner at Berger, Anderson, Sinclair & Murphy until 1980. He practiced law solo for several years and then ultimately founded the law firm Murphy, Kirkpatrick & Fain.

As an active leader in the community, Jim was a state instructor for the Montana Board of Realty Regulation, member of the YWCA Board of Advisors from 1978 to 1998, and the Founding Director of Horizon Home for Abused Children. From 1976 until 2008, he was a board member of the 400 Ranch Association, and its president for the last two years. Jim was on the Billings Catholic School Board from 1995 to 1998. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon and Phi Delta Phi fraternities, and recently became a Board member of the Billings Preservation Society. In 2001, Jim received the State Bar Distinguished Service Award and the University of Montana Community Service Award. In the same year he also was recognized with the Yellowstone Area Bar Association Professionalism Award.

Jim was thoughtful, kind, and instinctively extended himself to help those around him. He had a contagious energy and enjoyed many activities, including snow- and waterskiing, biking, jogging and traveling. Jim held an Irish passport and had visited Ireland with his family on many occasions, reconnecting with cousins and finding other extended family. He also traveled extensively with Patty O throughout Asia and Europe, most recently visiting China, France and the Balkans. Jim is remembered for his playful sense of humor and warm smile. He had a knack for fixing things and, over the years, repaired numerous antique clocks, even building one grandfather clock from scratch. His fondness for tinkering fit his meticulous, curious and patient nature. He loved his cabin on the 400 Ranch south of Red Lodge and his family home on Flathead Lake. He delighted in the company of his family; he claimed his children were his finest accomplishments.

Jim is survived by his wife and love of his life, Patty O; children, Ryan O. Murphy and his fiancée Layne Paddock of New York City, Patrick O. Murphy of Houston, and Erin O. Murphy of Bozeman; sisters, Mary Lou (John) Hauck of Lolo and Virginia (Pat) Ellison of Chandler, Ariz.; nephews, John (Marlene) Hauck of Billings, Jim (Carol) Hauck of Billings, James C. Ellison of Chandler, Mark D. O'Loughlin of Great Falls and A.J. Grabos of Ketchum, Idaho; niece, Heather K. O'Loughlin of Washington, D.C.; aunts, Sallie Sheridan Corette of Missoula and Mary E. Thronson of Great Falls; siblings-in-law, Mary Kay and Jim Olson of Sun Valley, Idaho, Mark P. O'Loughlin, Jr. of Great Falls, Frank and Sue O'Loughlin of Evergreen, Colo., and Carol O'Loughlin and Fred Grabos of Ketchum; foreign exchange student son Gabriel Gaité Paz of Tarija, Bolivia, and many wonderful cousins. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael James Murphy; his parents; and his parents-in-law.

Please join us for Jim's wake at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, March 24, at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral followed immediately by committal at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the James P. Murphy Law Student Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Montana Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807. Memories and condolences may be sent to www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.