Thomas R. Murphy Jr.

Thomas Richard Murphy Jr, 74, joined the Heavenly Angel Chorus on June 11, 2012. He was born on December 13, 1937 in Dallas, TX and was a resident of Houston TX, Rockport TX, and most recently Pasadena, TX. He graduated from Klein High School in 1956 then joined the United States Air Force and served with the USAF Security Service. He later studied Accounting as well as Instrumentation at San Jacinto College. Tom worked as a pipefitter for 33 years. In his spare time, Tom enjoyed fishing, bowling, music and family. He was very active in sports in school and in the Air Force, as well as playing piano for many years. He was a member of the Houston Acappella Chorus for several years and really enjoyed singing as well as leading the song services in worship. Tom spent his life as a member of the Church of Christ and was with Watters Road Church of Christ for the last 22 years.

Tom was preceded in death by his father Thomas Richard Murphy Sr., and sister: Karen Jeffcoat. He is survived by his wife of 48 1/2 years Carole; Mother: Verna Murphy; daughters: Terri Copeland and husband Rick, Traci Murphy, and Tammi Stevenson and husband Kacey; grandchildren: Chris, Chelsie and husband Tim, Micah, Alisa, Korey, Cheyenne, Jakob, and Kayla; and one great-grandson Eli. There are also many who were very close to the Murphy family and were referred to by Tom as his "informally adopted" kids and grandkids.

Tom will be remembered for his love of family and music, his sense of humor and sarcasm, and his outgoing friendly personality. He will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held 2:00pm Saturday, June 23, 2012, at Watters Road Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tom's name to The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Lifeline Chaplaincy (lifelinechaplaincy.org).