Samuel Alan Morphy

Samuel Morphy December 22, 1950 - December 26, 2024
Samuel Alan Morphy, 74, passed away peacefully, early on the 26th of December, surrounded by his wife and children after a long-fought battle against ALS. Born in Pasadena, California, Sam was the third of four children to his parents, Lilian "Dixie" and Davidge "Bud" Morphy. He inherited the strength, charisma, and a passion for horse racing from his father and a gentle heart and generosity from his mother. There were few things he loved more than golf and a glass of Chardonnay at the end of a long day. He was quick to make friends, loyal for life, and the kind of man who said what he meant and meant what he said. To quote his sister, Elizabeth, "They don't make them like this anymore."
He attended the University of Colorado, where he became a proud member of the ATOs (go Buffs!) before being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, where he was assigned to the Military Police and stationed in Yokohama, Japan. When he returned, he wore many hats, working in restaurants up the coast and as a tour guide in Tahiti, among many other roles. He met the love of his life, Carol, while working at All West Container in South San Francisco. The moment they saw each other, they both knew, "This is it." They soon got married, started a family, and moved to Sonoma, where they stayed for nearly 40 years, excluding a one-year sabbatical in Madison, Connecticut. The move, while temporary, was a life-changing experience. It became the inspiration for Sam to open a New Haven-style pizza restaurant back in Sonoma. They moved back a year later and opened The Red Grape, which celebrated its 23rd anniversary in January. Ask a stranger on the streets of Sonoma who Sam Morphy is, and there's a good chance they'll talk your ear off. He's been a pillar of the community, involving himself in as many ways as he could. Whether through his time in the Rotary Club (where he eventually served as president) or as a coach in youth sports, he made a difference. Above all other things, there was nothing Sam was prouder of than being a Papa to his grandkids. He loved watching them learn, play sports, and grow into the wonderful children they are today.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; his three children, Megan (Tony) Moll, Brady (Kathy) Morphy, and Samantha (Michael) McKee; and his five beautiful grandchildren, Stella, Sam, Gio, Cameron, and Phoebe. He is also survived by his siblings, Elizabeth Monroe (Charlie decd), Mary Makinney (Bill), and Mark Morphy (Cindy). While his absence will be a profound loss, the positive impact he had on those he loved will live on forever.
We invite you to join us in honoring the life of Sam Morphy, Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Hanna Center, 17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476.
A private family gathering will take place afterwards at a separate location.
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