Joseph Murphy

Joseph Edward Murphy (Joe), 67, of Hood River, was born in Mamaroneck, NY. on April 4,1958 to Robert F. Murphy and Charlotte Ostrowski Murphy. He later moved to Hopewell Junction, NY where he graduated from John Jay HS in 1976. He attended college at the University of South Dakota where he was the president of his fraternity, Alpha Chi Lambda. Joe served his country as an active-duty National Guardsman for six years from 1988-1994, when he was honorably discharged.

Joe had a wonderful sense of humor and was a grateful and humble man. He adored his wife, Lee (gigi) of 30 yrs. When they married in 1996, they acquired custody of his 2 and her 3 sons and proceeded to raise five adolescent boys to be kind and good men, one of Joe's proudest accomplishments.

During these years Joe had a calling to become a carpenter by day, and a Bible teacher and father figure for incarcerated teenagers, whom he met with weekly for over 15 yrs at NORCOR. The pandemic ended that privilege in 2020.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his two eldest brothers, Richard L. Murphy and Robert A. Murphy.

Joe is survived by his wife, Lee (gigi) Murphy; two sons, Andrew Murphy (Angie), Huntsville, AL, and Patrick Murphy (Emee), Kahuku, HI; three step sons, Tanner Galvin (Heidi Byrne), and Will Galvin (Charlotte), Portland, OR; Duncan Galvin (Jess Clemons), The Dalles, OR; 9 grandchildren, and his siblings Rosanne Claunch, Linda Robbennolt, George Murphy, Edith Smith, and John Murphy.

He shared a love of golf with his two sons, Andrew and Patrick, playing whenever they got together, and enjoyed playing with his brother-in-law, Steve. He was also a major league baseball history buff, but the joy of his life was his grandchildren: Aoife, Frances Marigold, Leila, Virginia, Audrey (aka Duckie), Johnjohn, Gabriel, Celia and Rowena.

Joe was in robust physical health due to his tireless hard work, attention to nutrition and faith in God. It was a shock that he left us so suddenly, but a blessing that he didn't suffer. He was never afraid of death or what was to come, having unshakeable confidence in his creator and savior.

Joe Murphy was a steadfast oak, a shining beacon of God's love and a friend to all.

A viewing for Joseph will be held 9:00AM -5:00 PM., Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Anderson's Tribute Center. Joe's memorial service will be held at 10:30AM., Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Shepherd of the Valley (1631 8th Street, Hood River, OR 97031). He will be laid to rest in a private committal at Pine Grove Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the Odell, OR EMTs for their rapid response and the Hood River Sheriff 911 Operations for their kind assistance.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com