Joe Milton Murphy

Joe Milton Murphy, 90, of Ardmore, Oklahoma passed away on September 12, 2021. He was born, the youngest of six children, on December 7, 1930 in Brewton (Escamia County), Alabama to Walter Sims Murphy and Alice Barnes Murphy. He graduated with a BA from Baylor University in 1953. He also obtained a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1956 and a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1963. He was an ordained minister of several churches from 1956 to 1968 in Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas, and again from 1993-2008 in Oklahoma. After a professional career as an economic development specialist, first in Ohio and then in Oklahoma, he founded Murphy and Associates, Inc. in 1982. As an entrepreneur, he also constructed custom and spec homes in Murphy Addition in Dickson, Oklahoma. He authored four books, Rev. Bucky, Inspirational Theology: A Layman's Handbook, Rogue Robot, and 100 Best Prayers, a favorite of his children.
Dad was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved to cook for them whenever they visited. His favorite hobbies were gardening and fishing. He enjoyed reading history books. He was an Irishman thru and thru - loving life, quick to fury, and with a laugh that could fill the room. In 1977, he married Claire Dufour Bates Murphy. They resided in the Ardmore area for over 40 years, working together daily.
He is survived by his wife Claire Murphy; children Loraine Sims and Maria Curry of Baton Rouge, LA, Millie and Ricky Vance of Ardmore, Joe Murphy of Oklahoma City, OK, Erica and Rafael Ayuso of Austin, TX; Jonathan and Penny Murphy of Stratford, TX, Jimmy Bates of Houston, TX, and Amy Bates Wells of Destin, FL; grandchildren Sarah Vance, Sally and Scott Hunley, Alice Murphy and Maria Box, Oliva Ayuso, Sullivan Ayuso, Abigail Murphy, Nina Murphy, Frankie Murphy, JW Murphy, Alex Bates, Connor Bates, Jackson Bates, Gabrielle Wells, and Alexandria Wells; and 6 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter Sims Murphy and Alice Barnes Murphy; siblings Willa Murphy Locklin, Margaret Murphy Nearhood, Frank Murphy, Leon Murphy, and George Murphy; and a host of nieces and nephews
Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m.at the Craddock Memorial Chapel with Pastor Derek Crawford officiating. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Ardmore. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Craddock Funeral Home.