Murphy George

Murphy George, 82, of Lufkin, was born July 25, 1927 in Palestine, Texas, the son of the late Janie (Kojak) and William George, Sr. He passed away Thursday, August 27, 2009 in a local hospital. Murphy graduated from public school at Palestine High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1955. He and his wife Bettye have one son, Bill. The Georges are members of First Presbyterian Church in Lufkin. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite and Arabia Temple Shrine in Houston. Murphy served on a number of local, regional and state boards as a dedicated volunteer, to include: Memorial Medical System of East Texas, University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Memorial Hermann Foundation, SFA University Foundation, East Texas Food Bank Foundation, Burke Center (Deep East Texas MHMR), Buckner Family Place, Goodwill Industries, Boys & Girls Club of Deep East Texas, Boys & Girls Club of Lufkin, Area 7 Special Olympics, Museum of East Texas, Salvation Army, Women¹s Shelter, Texas Association of Business, Texas Business & Commerce Political Action Committee, Texas Department of Commerce (appointed by Governor Ann Richards in 1992) and Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (appointed by Governor George W. Bush in 1996). Murphy was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including: Volunteer of the Year - 1992, presented by Hermann Childrens¹ Hospital, George H. Hermann Society, Houston, Texas; Ralph W. Steen East Texan of the Year Award - 1993, presented by Deep East Texas Council of Governments; Outstanding East Texan of the Year - 1994, presented by Texas Chamber of Commerce; Volunteer of the Year - 1994, presented by Texas Chamber of Commerce; Texas Leader of Excellence - 1996, presented by the Free Market Foundation; Special Congressional Recognition - 1996, presented by United States Congress; Paul Harris Fellow - 1996, presented by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; Service Above Self Award - 2004, presented by Rotary International (Angelina Rotary Club); The Silver Bucket Award - 2009, presented by The Angelina Chamber of Commerce; and The Angelina Award - 2009, presented by The Angelina Chamber of Commerce. Murphy is survived by his son, Bill George of Lufkin; brother and sister-in-law, Frank, Jr. and Jeanette George of Palestine; sisters-in-law, Agnes George of Palestine, Alma Taylor of Abilene and Peggy Mattox of Crockett; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. In addition to his parents, Murphy was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Joyce Knox George in 2001; brothers, William George, Jr., Johnny George, Jesse George, Sr.; and sister, Virginia George Smith. Pallbearers will be Jesse George, Jr., Jeffrey George, Sr., Frank George, Jr., Jesse George, III, Fred Knapp and Charles Taylor. Expressions of sympathy in Murphy¹s memory may be made to Buckner Family Place, 3402 Daniel McCall Drive No. 21, Lufkin, Texas 75904; Women¹s Shelter of East Texas, 2723 Durst, Nacogdoches, Texas 75964; Boys & Girls Club, 909 S. Angelina, Lufkin, Texas 75904; Volunteer Service Council at The Lufkin State School, P.O. Box 1648, Lufkin, Texas 75902; or to the charity of your choice. Services for Murphy will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church, With Bro. Steven Frasier and Dr. Jack Schultz officiating. Private entombment services will be in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Condolences may be offered at www.mem.com. Gipson Funeral Home, directors.