Michael Patrick Murphy

Michael Patrick Murphy April 7, 1953 – November 25, 2025
"Well done, good and faithful servant." – Matthew 25:23
Michael Patrick Murphy, 72, entered eternal rest on November 25, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida. Born on April 7, 1953, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Mike grew up in a military family, moving often and learning early the quiet resilience and humility that would come to define him. He spent several childhood years in Oslo, Norway, where he learned to ski jump and first embraced a spirit of adventure.
Mike graduated from Perry High School in Iowa and attended Drake University, where he captained the track team and excelled as a standout football player, ultimately being drafted by the Detroit Lions. He later earned his master's degree from Chapman College in California.
During his junior year at Drake, Mike met the love of his life, Nancy, when he invited her to a Christmas party in their dorm. They fell in love and on March 12, 1976, they married near Chicago in Nancy's home town, beginning nearly fifty years of a devoted partnership built on faith, sacrifice, and shared purpose. Their life together was full of new places and new experiences - living across the United States, Switzerland, and Hong Kong during Mike's career. They enjoyed traveling extensively around the world later in life, often with family and friends.
Mike began his career in the slaughterhouse at Oscar Mayer during high school summer breaks, carrying with him the grit and discipline he had developed on the football field - qualities that served him well over the next 30 years as he rose through the corporation to become Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Philip Morris International.
A man of deep and steady faith, Mike served ministries both near and far throughout his retirement. He devoted twelve years as an elder at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Bradenton, reading Scripture during services, assisting with communion, and participating faithfully in Bible study. His generosity also supported a growing children's ministry in Stamford, Connecticut, and he spent several semesters in rural Vietnam teaching English at a business college as part of his missionary work. Mike cherished the simple joys of life. He loved a warm cup of coffee, breakfast on the beach, and going to the gym. He ran multiple marathons and over one hundred other races - what he called "just plodding along" - finding peace in the rhythm of movement.
Above all else, Mike was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He and Nancy raised two sons, Jeff and Dan, coaching them in little league, how to use public transportation, and use chopsticks. He provided them a steady foundation to pursue their passions, always encouraging them to "go for it!". He adored his grandchildren - Lucas, Jackson, Arlo, and Brooklyn - greeting them with big arm-waves and silly faces on FaceTime, sharing a donut together, and dreamt of teaching them football plays one day.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy; his sons Jeff (Cheyenne) and Dan (Katie); and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Colleen Murphy.
His life reflected faith, family, generosity, hard work, and humility.
To God be the glory.
A Memorial Service will be held on January 17, 2026, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church: 7461 Prospect Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243. Times for the Service will be updated when made available.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida, is in charge of arrangements.