Murphy, Robert E. (Smurf), Memorial services for Robert (Smurf/Murph) E. Murphy, 73 of Harker Heights, will be held at 10 am Friday, September 28, 2018, at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. Rev. Dr. D. Michael Jones will be officiating the services. A Celebration of Life gathering with the family will follow the funeral services in the reception room. Interment will be held at 1 pm at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Mr. Murphy died July 19, 2018 at his home with his wife by his side. Mr. Murphy was born on June 27, 1945, in Wilkes Barre, PA, to the late James and Bertha Murphy. He was one of eleven children. When he was the age of 9 the family moved to New York City, NY and settled in Queens. He spent his childhood days in Yankee Stadium watching his idols Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra. He loved baseball, windmill softball, football, and wrestling while growing up. Mr. Murphy had all his education through Catholic Schools, including Notre Dame University. He was very active in his church, as an altar boy growing up. During his high school years at St. Francis Prep he was All-State in Wrestling his Jr. and Sr. years. He continued with a wrestling scholarship to Notre Dame University. Mr. Murphy was drafted into the Army in 1968 for a two year commitment of which five months was served in Vietnam, until injuries brought him home and was awarded two purple hearts. Mr. Murphy married Elaine Larimer Murphy on October 16, 1988 at the DAV Assembly Hall in Harker Heights. He was the manager of the club for 8 years. His best friend, the late Ralph Snyder, was his best man in the wedding. He spent the next 27 years as a Car Salesman. He was awarded Car salesman of the Month/Year multiple times throughout those years. Mr. Murphy was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bertha Murphy, and his ten brothers and sisters. Mr. Murphy is survived by his wife, Elaine Murphy; Sons, Bob Murphy and his girlfriend Kim Bourque; Terry Murphy and his wife Lynn; daughter, Jamie Redd and her husband Jeremy; Five grandchildren, Kyle Murphy, Juade Scott, Gianna Murphy, Lauren Murphy, and Calleigh Redd. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to St. Judes Hospital. Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences may be left on the Crawford-Bowers Dignity Memorial website by searching Robert E. Murphy.
