James McAllister Murphy

1935 - 2021

April 16, 1935 - October 12, 2021 James McAllister Murphy, 86, passed away peacefully at home on October 12, 2021 after a long illness. Jim was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and dear friend to many. Jim was born in New York City on April 16, 1935. He grew up at 25 Claremont and greatly enjoyed his grammar school years at Corpus Christi Jesuit School, where he sang in the choir. Jim graduated from Portsmouth Priory (now Abbey) in 1952, where he was an all-star basketball player and a fine athlete. After graduating from Harvard College summa cum laude in 1956, Jim was commissioned into the Navy where he served as a Lieutenant on the USS Walton until discharge. After his service in the Navy, Jim attended Harvard Law School where he graduated magna cum laude in 1962. Following graduation, Jim moved to Los Angeles where he joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and practiced tax law until retirement. Jim also served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and is an Honorary Trustee at Mayfield Senior School. He is described by a former colleague as "brilliant and kind" and remembered for hours spent training new lawyers. After his retirement, Jim pursued a graduate degree in math at UCLA. He is remembered by family, friends and colleagues for his brilliant mind, kind and caring spirit, quick wit, readiness to lend a hand, and the twinkle in his eye. His huge heart and bright light will keep shining for those who knew his wonderful sense of humor, generosity of spirit, humility, patience and goodness. Jim is survived by his wife of 23 years, Wesley Ann Murphy, his children Rosalie Selinger Murphy, Charlotte Murphy, and James T. Murphy, his grandchildren Nathan and Margaret Selinger, and his former wife Rosalie Flynn. He is predeceased by his beloved daughter Margaret Frances Murphy Bernard, his parents James and Margaret McAllister Murphy, and his sister Frances "Franny" Wall. Jim was devoted to his deceased sister's children, Ned Wall, Catherine Wall, Mary Pat Wall, Barbara Wall, and Liz Wall, and had a very special relationship with his cousins. After suffering the loss of his beloved daughter and enduring many years of serious illnesses, Jim still loved to remind everyone, "We live in the best of all possible worlds," and was reassuring his loved ones until his last moments. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of James M. Murphy to a special fund he created in honor of his daughter, Margaret Frances Murphy Bernard, at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, California.