of Bartlett, TN

February 3, 1933 - April 3, 2014

Roy D. Murphy,81, Past American Legion Commander, passed away at his daughter's home in Bartlett, Tennessee, where he had been living since August 2013.

He was active in the American Legion and The Forty and Eight until recently due to the progression of Dementia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Clyde Murphy and Ethie Jones Murphy, and wives Ruby Sandusky Thompson Murphy and Ruth Huffman Murphy, his sister, Hazel Murphy Higgs Hurt, and brothers, Clyde Murphy Jr., James Murphy and Larry Murphy.

Left behind to cherish his memories are five daughters, Cherie Hendrix (Mike), Rhonda Wilson, Debbie Parnell (Bill), Glenda Tatum, Becky Armstrong (Donnie) two sons, Gary Thompson and Brian Thompson (Deforest), his sister, Evelyn Murphy Johnson Harris Burns and his brother, Charles Murphy (Sue) along with many nieces and nephews, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Roy was born and raised in Hickman, KY. He enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War serving aboard the ship, SS Iowa BB31. He ultimately started his career with The Army Corp of Engineers. With this job, he was required to work on a Riverboat traveling up and down the mighty Mississippi River which took him away from home for extended periods of time. He eventually settled down with his family in West Memphis, Arkansas. Through the years, Roy was promoted several times and finally retired from The Army Corp of Engineers in 1988.

If you were lucky enough to know him, you knew how much he loved life and laughter. His close friends and family were given special ''Wacky'' Nicknames, complements of Roy. He was even given a couple of nick names in return-''Murdock'' (A-Team) and ''RO-HO''. He was a kind and generous man that gave to those less fortunate than he. He once said, 'You know, if not but by the grace of God that could be me''.

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