Joseph Patrick Murphy

Joseph Patrick Murphy, 91, of Duluth, passed away on February 6, 2026.

Joe was born on February 17, 1934, the fourth of five children of Emmit and Agnes Murphy. He grew up in the West Duluth, attended St James Catholic grade school, and graduated from Cathedral High school in 1952. After high school graduation Joe joined the Army and spent a few years in various stateside assignments, primarily on a beach landing craft. After returning home he started dating Donna Strand and they were married in 1957. Together they had four children. They were married 55 years before Donna’s passing in 2012.

Joe often spoke of his high school football days and his time in the Army. He was very proud of two of his grandsons who enlisted in the Army National Guard. He especially enjoyed having to salute them as they outranked him and they loved to remind him of that.

Joe worked a variety of jobs over his working career but primarily in the service area for Lakehead Auto Imports Volkswagen and as the manager of Kenwood Service station. He loved deer hunting and fishing and especially enjoyed Deer Camp with family. He was involved in Boy Scouts as a youth and as a Scout Master for both his brothers-in-law, Cliff Strand and Bob Strand, and for his sons, Kevin and Tom’s scout troops.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; son, Tom Murphy; daughter-in-law Kari; grandson, Jesse Olson; brother, Bill (Betty) Murphy; sisters, Margaret (Hume) Nettleton and Mona (Lester) Dahl; and brothers-in-law, Jack McRae, Cliff Strand, and Robert Strand.

Joe is survived by his children, Susan (Tom) Meyer, Kevin (Robin) Murphy, and Loreen (Greg) Olson; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Therese McRae; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation to be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 16th at St John’s Catholic Church, 4230 St Johns Ave, with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM and reception to follow in the church basement.

Private family committal service and interment at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery next to his wife, Donna, to be held at a later date.