Thurman John Murphy Sr. was born on October 12, 1934 in Junction City, Arkansas to John and Mary Murphy. He went to be with the Lord on January 19, 2019. Thurman was a resident of Atwater, California for 44 years. He was a Chief Master Sergent where he worked as a crew chief and a maintenance supervisor for the United States Air Force for 30 years and he was also a business owner. Thurman loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was a member of 2nd Baptist in Las Vegas, Nevada, Pilgrim Rest Church in Austin Texas, Ramstein Air Force Base Chapel in Germany, where he was the Director of the Ramstein International Gospel Choir, Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Atwater, California, New Faith Tabernacle in Merced, California and Antioch Baptist Church in Merced, California.
Thurman is preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Murphy; his brothers Willie Paul Murphy and James Murphy; his sisters Ruth Golden and Finella Allen.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years Dorothy Lee Murphy; his children Thurman John Murphy Jr., Yollanda F. (Rodney) Griddine, Brenda D. Scott, Diana R. (Roosevelt) Murphy Hanna, Timothy L.C. (Nephertiti) Murphy, Danielle Garcia Murphy and Sidney J. Murphy; his sister Esther Holland.
There will be a visitation for Thurman on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, California from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Atwater, California at 11:00 am. A Graveside Service will be on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11:00 am at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.
