Thomas William Murphy

Thomas was born Raymond Eaton on June 21, 1925 in Antigo, Wisconsin to Raymond and Mary Eaton. He was later adopted by Thomas and Martha Murphy and was raised on a farm near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

At the young age of 18, Thomas was inducted for World War II service in September 1943. In March 1944, he departed for the Asiatic Pacific Theater. Private Murphy shipped out for New Caledonia and onto Hawaii for the upcoming invasion of Okinawa as part of Operation Iceberg. He remembers landing on Okinawa with the Marines of the 6th Marine Division and conducting Military Police operations. After promotion to Corporal, he departed Okinawa for the United States in February 1946 and was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star for participation in the Ryukyus Campaign, and the World War II Victory Medal.

After World War II, Thomas Murphy enlisted again in May 1946 attaining the rank of Sergeant. In 1949, he pursued a business degree at Rider College in New Jersey, where he played football while continuing a reserve enlistment. In 1955, he received a direct commission in the New Jersey National Guard and later, in 1958, received a Regular Army appointment to the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps and was stationed in Germany, South Carolina and Texas.

In September 1952, Thomas married the love of his life, Virginia Van Sciver. Together, they raised eight children. Thomas Murphy retired in June 1973 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as Lieutenant Colonel with just over 29 years of service. After his military retirement, with their children all grown, Thomas and Virginia moved to Germany where they spent several years traveling Europe. They eventually moved back to the states living in Wyoming and then finally returning to San Antonio, Texas. Thomas enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, reading and learning new languages. He loved driving around in his 1988 Mercedes that he bought in Germany and brought back to the states.

Thomas was preceded in death by his birth parents, Raymond and Mary Eaton, his adoptive parents Thomas and Martha Murphy, his brother James Petrack, and sisters Patricia Braun and Marybeth Ward. Thomas is survived by his wife, Virginia; eight children, Brian Murphy (Regina), Sharon Flanigan, Susanne Burton, Stuart Murphy, Carolyn Trigilio (Robert), Deirdre Ciminski (Steven), Karl Murphy (Jennifer), and Eric Murphy; ten grandchildren, Scott and Katie Flanigan, Stephanie and Michael Burton, Keeley Murphy, Ryan Ciminski and Christina Curran, Emily and Lauren Murphy, and Hannah Murphy; four great grandchildren, Hayes and Tate Burton, and Pierson and Hawthorne Murphy.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held for his family and friends at 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

11:00 A.M.

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

In lieu of flowers and in honor and gratitude for the devoted staff at Audie Murphy VA Hospital Community Living Center, please consider making a memorial contribution to South Texas Veterans Health Care System at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/52251716/.