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Kenneth Murphy Obituary
1934 - 2025
Kenneth went to be home with his Lord and Savior at the age of 91 years old on Saturday, September 27th 2025 in Santa Maria, California.
Kenneth was born in Ventura California on March 9, 1934 to Howard and Oakley Murphy. He was the fifth child out of eight children. He learned early on if you want something you have got to work for it. He worked many jobs to help the family make ends meet.
Kenneth loved hunting, traveling, collecting unique guns. He also loved the old western movies. Sometimes he would recognize the area in a movie because when he was a young boy, he would ride his bike on the Iverson ranch down in southern California, where a lot of the movies were filmed.
He could always tell you what type of gun everyone in the movie had too.
He met his wife, Mary, through his mother. Both women worked at a local parsley plant.
Ken and Mary were married in May 1962.
They moved up to Santa Maria for work. He bought Cloudnine Upholstery and ran the business out of a leather folder and a blue 1954 Chevy pick up for over 40 years. He also taught upholstery through Hancock College, in the evenings, for over 25 years.
Kenneth always wanted boys, but they were blessed with four beautiful girls that they love dearly.
Ken found the Lord in his 20s and lived his life and brought up his girls in a good Christian home.
He made sure the girls knew about guns, hunting, taking care of a vehicle, but most importantly about Jesus and loving the Lord.
Ken is survived by his wife, Mary, of 63 years.
Daughters- Joan Thompson (Terry), Patricia Stogner (Randy), Jean Bailey, Debra Shirk (Cliff)
Grandchildren- Jennifer Herman (Jeremiah) Shaun Cole, Wayne Bailey Jr, Cody Thompson (Blayne), Kenneth Bailey (Jessica), Lacey Thompson
Great Grandchildren- Madison Herman, Izabelle Herman, Shaun Herman, Dominic Bailey, and Raelynn Thompson.
Many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents, all of his siblings and his grandson Micheal Cole.
A memorial service will be held on October 11th 1pm at the Dudley Hoffman Chapel.
Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Murphy
Sponsored by Dudley-Hoffman Mort, Crematory & Memory Gardens.
4 Entries
Michael Johnson
October 12, 2025
I leased from Ken in the late 1980s. I remember him always driving his old Chevy truck everytime I saw him. He loved that truck. Thank God he knew the Lord and is safe in Jesus' arms now. God bless and protect the entire Murphy family.
Bix Calderwood
October 11, 2025
Ken and Mary are loved. Ken was a kind and loving man with great integrity and a wonderful sense of humor. I am sad that I could not attend his service today. I am praying for Mary and their daughters in this time of sadness.
Dana Gleason
October 10, 2025
My heart goes out to the entire Murphy Family. Ken was a great friend. We joined he & his family many times for camping, hiking & hunting trips. I must say, we were not good hunters! But Ken was happy to have us along anyway, and taught us life lessons such as gun safety, the art of target shooting, horseback riding (on a pony), land management (he owned property) and church upkeep.
When it came to our mutual beliefs, Ken was a man of few words, opting instead to demonstrate how Christ's love shines through friendship.
You were a cowboy at heart, Mr. Murphy. I see you riding off into the sunset.....on my birthday! The gifts you left me with are too numerous to count. I would be sad, but I know you have set up camp in a serene landscape! I would say you earned it, which you certainly did through your hard work here on earth! But you & I know we are saved by grace. Rest in peace, sir, basking in the light of our Savior!
tara hoffmann
October 9, 2025
He was a cool guy, for sure. Hugs to Mary et all.
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Dudley-Hoffman Mort, Crematory & Memory Gardens1003 E Stowell Rd P.O. Box 248, Santa Maria, CA 93454
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