Joseph Emmett Murphy

Joseph Emmett Murphy, age 93, resident of Columbus, died on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital. Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 3 p.m. with Reverend Scott Tucker officiating. Interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Mr. Murphy was born on September 6, 1918 to the late Joseph Jefferson Murphy and Sarah Lula Jordan Murphy, on a farm in Sumter County near Americus, Georgia. His family moved from Columbus to Columbia, Alabama in the fall of 1921 aboard the riverboat WC Bradley to a farm near Columbia and later near Banks, Alabama. The family moved to Columbus in 1924. In September of that year, he entered Bibb City School and later graduated in June of 1930. He enrolled in Columbus Industrial School and after a short while dropped out to seek employment performing various odd jobs. Becoming of age, he began working in the Bibb Mill as a Carding Machine Stripper and eventually learned to repair, overhaul, move and erect machines. After leaving the Carding Department he later became a shift foreman in the Opening and Picketing Department and worked until 1939 before leaving to work for the Army Construction Quartermaster Corp Land Surveying Party, obtaining topography of the Sand Hill area and later to the Alabama Parachute Training area to provide facilities including Dekker Landing Strips. He met his now deceased wife, Madell Helms Murphy, on Labor Day 1939 at the Idle Hour Recreation area and after dating one year they were married on September 7, 1940.

Before entering the Army in April of 1943, he worked for the late Grover “Bo” Carr, obtaining topography for the existing Muscogee County Airfield terminal and facilities before returning to work for the Port Engineering Department. He entered the Army in April 1943 and was assigned to the newly created Post Construction and Repair Group Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 1053 Battalion. After returning to civilian life, he was immediately employed by the Post Engineer and after obtaining his high school diploma by the GED test, he attended the University of Georgia Off Campus Center at Jordan at night. With on the job training he became classified as a Civil Engineer in the mid-fifties. The Work Coordination Division was established and he accepted the position as Chief of the Estimating Branch and later became Chief of the division. He returned to the Engineering Division as the Principal Engineer of the Civil Branch and remained in that position until he retired after 37 years of service in April of 1976.

He completed the Weaver Real Estate Course at Perry Business College and entered the real estate market a few years later.

He was known in his early years as “Buddy” and later, as a teenager, “Spud” or “Emmett” and even later in life was called “Joe” or “Murph.” He was an emeritus at Rosehill Masonic Lodge Number 484 and the Columbus Lodge of Perfection as a 32 degree mason. He was also a member of NARFE.

His predeceased family members include parents, Joe and Lula Murphy; wife, Madell “Dell” Helms Murphy; sisters and spouses, Jessie Murphy Dolstad, Thelma and MSGT Roy Mason, Anne and Jack Ruffin, Verna and Roscoe Tarvin; and brother-in-laws, Herb Bishop and Harold Dolstad. He is survived by one sister, Sarah Bishop of Columbus; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Flowers are accepted or contributions can be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.