Joseph “Joe” Allen Murphy, 85, passed away Oct. 31, 2023, at Via Christi Village-Ridge, Wichita, Kan. after battling prostate cancer for a year and a half. He was born on Sept. 20, 1938, in Great Bend, Kan., to James and Alma (Riney) Murphy. On Sept. 11, 1965, he married Roma Lee Riner in Great Bend, Kan.

Joe was a hard worker who led by example. After his father passed away from a tragic accident when he was 12 years old, Joe assumed many responsibilities not normally required of a boy of such a young age. He worked on the family farm, went to school, played sports, and helped support his large family, including his invalid older brother and his two baby sisters. A lifetime resident of Great Bend prior to moving to Goddard in 2022, Joe served the country overseas in the United States Air Force from 1958-1962. After his Honorable Discharge, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fort Hays State University, where he met his future wife of 58 years, Roma. For 30 years, he worked as a technical systems coordinator for Midwest Energy, before “retiring”, only to spend the next 20 years as a custodian at Eisenhower Elementary School doing two of his favorite things: encouraging and building up kids and working hard. When asked by his children when he was going to finally retire, his response was always “in another two years.” He kept “two-yearing it” until he turned 77. 

Joe was always a champion for the little guy and had a huge and generous heart. He was a devoted husband to Roma as they constantly spent time with their kids and grandkids. He was a lifetime blood donor, contributing well over eight gallons of blood to help others. He was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish and the American Legion. He never took himself too seriously, and liked to spread his hard-earned knowledge through multiple “Joe Murphyisms”: “Just hold your head high and walk fast.” “Keep your ears open and your mouth shut.” “Doing that can cause your kids to be born naked.” “It’ll put hair on your chest.” “It’s good to have some sweat run down the crack of your hind end.” “Now stay out of jail...” Those are but a sample of the wisdom he liked to share and smiles he liked to create. If you ever had the opportunity to take his order at a restaurant, you probably had the chance to tease him back when he said his favorite one, “I’d like an iced-tea, in a clean glass.” He loved his dogs, but above all, he loved his wife and kids, helping his kids with their lawn mowing business, watching their sports competitions and debate tournaments, and spending time with them and the grandkids.

Survivors include his wife, of the home. His children are a daughter, Kelly Sue (Mark) Disque of Wylie, Texas; son Patrick (Theresa) Murphy of Wichita, Kan.; son Sean (Alicia) Murphy of Papillion, Neb.; and son Mark (Kimberly) of Olathe, Kan. His 13 grandchildren are Adam (Bethany), Brendan, and Kaitlyn Disque; Chelsea (Jordan) Mellinger, Conor, Ryan, and Shauna Murphy; Benjamin and Zane Murphy; and McKay, Gunner, Josie, and Taggart Murphy. His two step grandchildren are Cooper and Carli Dunham.  He has six great-grandchildren. His sisters are Janice Sis of Bryan, Texas, and Rita (Joe) Buchanan of Council Grove, Kan. His brothers-in-law are George Tooley of Greeley, Colo., and Dan Bernard of Omaha, Neb. His sister-in-law is Rose Murphy of Great Bend, Kan. He has numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard “Dick” Murphy and Michael Murphy; two sisters, Joyce Tooley and Barbara Bernard; a brother-in-law, Ray Sis; a niece, Katie Gant; and a nephew, Chris Tooley.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, with family to receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and vigil at 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Interment will be at Great Bend Cemetery North with military honors presented by McConnell Air Force Base. Memorials have been designated to Golden Belt Humane Society or Eisenhower Elementary School Improvements Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS.  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 4, 2023