Earnest Murphy

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Earnest Bruce Murphy who passed away peacefully with his beloved niece by his side on October 24, 2025, in Shreveport, LA. He was dearly loved and admired by his family and friends.

Earnest was born on January 17, 1945, to Alfred and Grace Murphy in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from Powell High School in 1963 and later followed in his brother's footsteps of joining the Armed Forces by enlisting in the United States Navy in 1966.

After serving in the United States Navy, Earnest went to work for Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1967. He received the Director’s Award in recognition of the successful Development and Deployment of the Payroll, Absence, and Labor System, and played on the K12 co-ed softball team.

Upon retirement from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1999, Earnest enjoyed working on various projects from glassworking and carpentry to playing his all-time favorite sport, golf. He volunteered with the Knox County Museum of Education and was a proud member of the Airplane Filling Station Preservation Association that restored a 1930s airplane gasoline service station.

He found immense joy in showing and teaching his great-nephew how to play golf. Earnest enjoyed sitting by his great-nephew’s side and listening as he played the guitar he had given him. Earnest had an exceptional memory, sharing his knowledge of history, genealogy, wisdom, and the good ole’ days growing up. Over the years, Earnest enjoyed spending time with his family.

Earnest is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Anthony and Grace Lilian Murphy, sister Kay Murphy, and brother John Richard Murphy. He is survived by his, niece, Angela Kay Tappe, great-nephew Jared Tappe, and his sister-in-law of 64 yrs Lucy Ann Murphy.

A special acknowledgment to his friends, Joe and Gloria Nelson, Stevan Dawn, Elaine Boggs, and numerous others that had the privileged to call him a friend. Earnest was many things to so many people and will leave a hole in everyone’s heart Thank you to the staff at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home and Overton Brooks VA Medical Center for your wonderful care of Earnest. We could not have gotten through this without your kindness and support.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ or the Arthritis Foundation https://www.arthritis.org/ in Earnest Murphy’s name. You are gone but not forgotten and will live in our hearts forever --