Arnold Leo Murphy

1925-2009

 

            Arnold Leo Murphy, 83, died at the Grove Nursing Center in Grove, Oklahoma on July 24, 2009.

 

            The son of Arnold and Molly (Smith) Murphy, Arnold was born on October 23, 1925 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Arnold married Francis Bankhead, daughter of Roy and Dona Bankhead, of Bellflower, California on September 2, 1924. Arnold proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII. He later joined the Air Force Reserve and was called to active duty from 1950, when the Korean War started, until he retired in 1961. He flew over 68 combat missions as the gunner aboard a Douglas B-26 Invader during the Korean War.

 

After retirement from the military, Arnold was the owner of M & N Printing Company in Oxnard, California. Arnold’s passion was golfing, winning several amateur tournaments and making several holes-in-one along the way. Arnold and Frances moved to Sherwood, Arkansas after retiring, and then to Grove, Oklahoma a month before he passed away.

 

            Arnold was preceded in death by his parents and brother Albert Murphy.

 

            Survivors include his wife of 64 years Frances Murphy, sons Danny and his wife Marjorie Murphy of Grove, Oklahoma, Michael and his wife Willa Murphy of Grants Pass, Oregon, daughter Teresa Murphy of Palm Springs, California, brothers Earl and his wife Mary, Ira and his wife Crystal Murphy, and sister Mary Franks, brother Tommy and his wife Rose Marie Murphy, 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

 

            Celebration of Life Services is at 2:00 pm on Tuesday July 28, 2009 at the First Methodist Church in Grove, Oklahoma. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.ellisfuneral-home.com.