More detail on this person: Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin E Murphy, 87, passed away peacefully in his Tenino, WA home on December 8, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Kevin was born on April 16, 1930 in Olympia, WA to Pius and Margaret Murphy. The youngest of six children, he grew up near Maytown, WA, worked on the family farm and graduated from Tenino High School in 1947. After graduating, he went to work in a logging camp near Toledo, WA, eventually buying his own logging truck. Striving to make more of himself, he attended St. Martin's College where he met his first wife Loraine, they married in 1954. Kevin enlisted into the US Army in 1951. He was selected for Officers Candidate School and commissioned in 1954. Following aviation training, he was assigned to the 30th Topo Group surveying Alaska. His military career saw him stationed in Germany, France, Thailand and various US bases with a growing family in tow. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars, and was one of the first commanding officers of 281st Assault Helicopter Company (call sign Mardi Gras 6) known as the Intruders. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and Meritorious Service Medals. After retiring from the Army in 1973, Kevin started his own land clearing and road building business and bought and sold real estate. He was a hard-working, proud Irishman and a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1979, Kevin married his second wife, Bernice. They were inseparable until her passing in 2015. Forever dedicated to his family, he never hesitated to provide guidance and support to his children, often reminding them, "You will always have an ace in the hole here at the Ranch". Kevin is survived by his 9 children; Toby (Michael) Finnie, Kathy (Jeff) Charpentier, Patrick (Carla) Murphy, Mark Younie, Kevin (Pacharee) Murphy, Meagan (Peter) Ross, Laura Murphy, Karen (Brian) Fabre, Shawn (Michelle) Murphy, 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Bernice. Funeral services will take place at St. Michael Catholic Church on January 5, 2018 at 12:00 pm followed by burial services at the Murphy Family memorial site on their property near Maytown.
Burial information: Murphy Family Memorial Site
This information was last updated 12/27/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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