Arthur James Murphy

Arthur J. Murphy passed peacefully on October 26, 2019 in Sacramento, CA after sharing goodbyes with his daughter and two sons. In passing, he was reunited with his beloved wife of 71 years, Jeannette who left us in August of 2017. He was 97 years old. The eldest of two sons, Art was born to British immigrant parents John and Lillian Murphy on January 22, 1922 in San Francisco, CA. His boyhood years were spent in The City where his family relocated several times eventually settling on 22nd Avenue near Stern Grove. In December of 1927, his brother Francis was welcomed into the world. Art was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout and a tireless explorer of San Francisco where he attended the openings of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges and visited the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1939. Even at the age of 97, he could still recall the streetcar routes, letters and numbers that he rode as a youth. In 1939 his father was transferred to Niagara Falls, NY where at age 17 he began college, completing three years. In 1942 he enlisted to serve his country and was assigned to the Army Air Corps, then to Army Specialized Training in Wheaton, IL. It was there, as a dinner guest of a local American Legionnaire, he met Jeannette Thor with whom hedeveloped a lifetime love. By August of 1944, he was in France driving a Jeep and a lieutenant between 3 rd Army HQ and various Special Unit commands in Western Europe, passing through seven countries in 10 months. His service took him through three campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge, only revealing this past year, “I was never more scared in my life”. Upon discharge in 1946, he returned to Wheaton where he married Jeannette. They moved to Niagara Falls where their first child Bruce was born in 1947, as Art continued college. The small family then returned to Illinois, closer to Jeannette’s family as Art continued school and in 1950, Marcia was born. After graduating from Northern Illinois University, they were California bound, adding Thomas in 1953. The GIbill allowed them to purchase a house in the newly subdivided farmlands of Palo Alto where Art commuted to San Francisco. Their newneighbors included his brother Francis, and his growing family, only afew doors away. Art had a 35-year career at Union Carbide Corporation where he was involved with accounting, budgets, audits, planning and analysis. At home, he was an active parent, participating in scouting and church. Sunday afternoons were always in San Mateo with his parents and brother’s family. As empty nester’s, Jeannette and Art settled in Chico where they were very active in church, developed many cherished friendships, and for Art, served as an officer in Lion’s Club. Their last home was in Carmichael, near Marcia. He is survived by Bruce and Terry Murphy, Marcia and Terry Quinn, Tom and Michelle Miller Murphy; six grandchildren, Robin, Bryan (Patricia), Jesse (Kyle), Phillip (Maya), Alison (Joe) and Colin; four great grand-daughters: Lily, Penny, Kora and Peyton; his sisters-in-law Evelyn Bolt and Marie Murphy and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Art can be remembered by donations to his favorite charity, American Legion. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.