Curtis Odell Murphy

Curtis Odell Murphy, age 88, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 6, 2010, in Odessa.

He was born on January 12, 1922, in May, TX, to Jodie Calvin and Lela Jane Arnold Murphy. On June 29, 1942, he married the love of his life, Eva Faye Weathersby.

They moved to San Francisco where he went to work as a welder at a shipyard building liberty ships. In July of 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed basic training as an Infantryman in Mineral Wells before being shipped overseas to Saipan, and from there he was sent to Okinawa. He ended his U.S. Army tour in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1946. His military awards included Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal Ribbon (Japan), the Overseas Bar (three awards) and the Good Conduct medal.

After his Army service, Curtis moved to Odessa to be with his wife. He worked as a welder for several companies including B&B Construction. In 1950, he began working at Sivalls Tanks as a welder and later as a salesman for the company. He retired from Sivalls in 1986. After a short retirement, he went to work part-time for Allied Equipment, and in 1997, he retired for good.

This left Curtis time to pursue his passion which was golf. He enjoyed playing the game, but received greater satisfaction from helping other golfers improve their game. For many years after retirement, he felt he had a great day at the golf course if he could shoot his age, which he frequently did.

He was a member of Crescent Park Baptist Church for many years and belonged to the Senior Adult IV Sunday School class.

Those left to cherish Curtis’ memory include his wife and constant companion of 68 years, Faye Weathersby Murphy, and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by dear friends Don Woods and Ron and Andi Worley.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Iwona L. Parker, and a brother, Delworth Olene Murphy.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 9, 2010, at Sunset Memorial Gardens with David Miller officiating.

The Murphy family is grateful for your prayers and acts of kindness during the past few months. They would like to give special thanks to Sherill Sanders, Bertha Salinas, Danielle Maphis, Star Health Care providers and Hospice House of Odessa.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Hospice House of Odessa, or to the Permian Basin Alzheimer’s Association.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.