Louis Leonidas Murphy II

“You gotta be different to be noticed”. That was the motto of Lou who passed away peacefully on December 17, 2019. Lou was born September 20, 1926 to Louis and Emma Murphy of St. Louis, Missouri. He loved telling stories about growing up in St. Louis with his three brothers, Jim, Bobb, Morgan and sister Mary Lou. In 1944 he joined the Army Air Corps then in the Korean War he served in the Air Force.

In 1949 his best friend, Dick O’Toole, took him on a blind date where he met Mary Kathleen Hannon. Dick said they needed to meet because they shared the exact same birthdate. They married shortly after and Lou became a journeyman plumber. In 1959, they moved to Crestline, California where they raised their 6 children and owned Security Plumbing. Lou was a member of the Rim of the World school board and active in other civic organizations.

Following the death of their son Chip (Louis Leonidas Murphy III) the family moved to Grants Pass in 1976 where he started Murphy Plumbing and taught his sons; Mike, Pat and Rob the family business. He enjoyed restoring Ford Model A’s and Model T’s and became involved with Caveman Vintage Car Club.

His beloved wife Kaye passed away in 1986. His passion for vintage cars led him to Joeann Revis and they were married in June, 1987. He Always said he was blessed to have two amazing “roommates” AKA wives. Lou and Joeann loved to travel and were always up for an adventure or a yard sale.

He is loved and will be missed by his wife Joeann, 5 children; Kathy (Mark) Zetlmaier, Maureen (Bill) Bailey, Mike (Connie) Murphy, Pat (Christine) Murphy, Rob (Debbie) Murphy and honorary son, Vince Randall plus four step children; Sheri, Russ, Karen and Scott along with 23 grandchildren and 24 2/3 great grandchildren. He was a beloved Uncle LL to family across the country and will be remembered for his sayings like “ It takes all kinds of people to make a world”.

The family would like to thank the staff of Noble Heights foster home for their dedicated care.

The funeral will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church on Friday December27 at 10:00 AM preceded by a recitation of the Rosary at 9:15.AM reception will follow in the parish center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anne Catholic School or St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in McKenzie Bridge, OR.