SMYRNA, Ga. — Thomas “Mike” Murphy, 70, formerly of Great Bend, died Oct. 17, 2016. He was born Jan. 1, 1946, at Great Bend, the son of Ralph and Selenah (Clements) Murphy. He married Mary A. Torrez on Oct. 28, 1968, at Fairbury, Neb. A proud veteran of the United States Army, he honorably served two tours in the Vietnam Conflict, and two tours in Europe, as well as a diplomatic tour in Iran. Mr. Murphy was retired from Barton County, working both in the Sheriff’s Office and Weed Department. He had been an Atlanta resident since 2001.
Devoted to his family, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Mr. Murphy really enjoyed traveling back home to Kansas at every available opportunity to spend time visiting with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Mary A. Murphy; son, Chad and Angela Murphy of Sterling; daughter, Carrie and Christopher Dickson of Atlanta, Ga.; granddaughters, Brittany Williams of Great Bend and Claire Dickson of Atlanta; grandsons, Michael Murphy and Caleb Murphy, both of Sterling; great-grandchildren, Kami Williams, Treacyn Williams and Anaceliya Murphy; sister, Coleen Murphy of Great Bend; nephews, Dennis and Leann Smith of Belle, Fla., Terry Smith of Salina, and Steve Murphy of Great Bend; nieces, Sharon and Ronald Schremmer of Wichita, Linda and Gerald Witt of Hutchinson, Jan and Robert Morgenstern of Hoisington, Mary Lynn and Randy Dumler of Hoisington, and Cathy Asher of Derby; and a host of other family and friends. Mr. Murphy was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Patrick Murphy; sister, Margaret Murphy Smith; and a nephew, Mark Smith.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend. Interment will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home, with a rosary immediately following. Memorials are requested to American Diabetes Association, in care of the 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, Oct. 26, 2016