Terrance Edward Murphy

Terrance (Terry) was born and raised in Seneca Falls, New York. After graduating from Mynderse Academy high school he enlisted in the Air Force, which brought him to San Antonio, Texas for the first time. He was a communications specialist. While working the switchboard at an Air Force base in Georgia early in his career, he overheard the voice of a local Bell Telephone operator and was mesmerized by her sweet, deep drawl. Daringly, he began flirting with her over the phone lines. This continued for several evenings and they finally agreed to meet. Terry and Joan began dating and were married soon thereafter at the age of nineteen by Joan’s father, who was a Baptist minister.

Terry and Joan started a family a couple of years later – first a son born in Oregon and then a daughter born in West Germany. In addition to serving in Vietnam, he was stationed, or had temporary duty assignments, in Turkey, West Germany, South Korea, Spain, Italy, the UK and numerous US states. In the early 1970s he and his family were stationed in San Antonio for a second time.

Terry had a mischievous sense of humor. Joan was 20 days older than Terry and, when she turned 30 in 1973, he asked with a wink, “How does it feel to be a member of the Establishment married to a member of the Now Generation?” They recounted this story for years with laughter. Terry was a voracious reader, loved music and encouraged his kids’ creativity and passions.

When Terry retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service, the family chose to move one last time to San Antonio, with him asking Joan, “We liked San Antonio, didn’t we? It doesn’t snow there!” He retired with the rank of tech sergeant. His post-Air Force life saw him take several positions as a consultant for the military. While he was often away from his family because of duty or work, he did his best to stay connected. Joan passed away four months before Terry and he missed her terribly. They were married for 61 years.

Terry was predeceased by his father, Edward Donald Murphy, his mother Mary Mimo (Snyder) Murphy and his wife, Joan Marie (Hand) Murphy. He is survived by his son Donald Murphy, his daughter Kathleen Murphy-Sohocki, his niece Sara Tyner and extended family.

The family thanks Cardinal Hospice of San Antonio for the compassionate and loving care they provided for Terry and for the kindness they showed the entire family.

GRAVESIDE SERVICEFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 202410:30 A.M.FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY(1520 HARRY WURZBACH RD. SAN ANTONIO, TX. 78209)