Harold Francis Murphy Sr.

COLUMBIA – Harold Francis Murphy, Sr., 82, of Columbia passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, during his final journey home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Born in Freeport, N.Y. on November 2, 1931, he was the widower of Alice May Murphy, and was a son of the late Charles Aloysius Murphy, Sr. and Anna Florence Shalvoy Murphy. Mr. Murphy excelled in boxing winning multiple Golden Glove Championships. He was most proud of his first championship won while still in high school. While serving his country valiantly in the U.S. Navy he continued to pursue his love of boxing becoming the Pacific Fleet Champion. He was employed by Grumman Aeronautics, working on the lunar landing module project. His name is planted on the lunar surface; along with his co-workers who designed the landing module for the Apollo 11 mission. Upon moving his family to Colorado, he worked for Colorado Interstate Gas, working with the team that designed the Alaskan Pipeline. Later in life he moved his family to Columbia, South Carolina, retiring from Owens Steel. After retirement he pursued his love of boxing, training young boxers to appreciate the sport. Mr. Murphy served as the State Secretary for the USA Boxing Association. He also coached, refereed and judged numerous participants. He built lifelong relationships with numerous sports figures. He is survived by his children, Michael Murphy, Jane Murphy, Jean Murphy, Mark Murphy, Mariann Murphy, Evelyn Shampine (Joe), Matthew Murphy, Carolyn Jenkins (Wayne), Shannon Buck (Jeff ), Harold Murphy, Jr (Ashley); grandchildren, Allison Lee, Matthew Jenkins, Shelby Jenkins, Connor Buck, Coby Buck, Aliya Murphy, Keirah Murphy, Jaden Murphy, Lucas Murphy; brother, James Murphy; his companion of 30 years, Belva McCormick and her children, Deborah Caulder, Bridget Jenkins, Kent Maynard; her grandchildren, Morgan Caulder, Connor Caulder, Nicholas Jeffcoat, Zachery Jeffcoat, Justin Jenkins; and her great grandchildren, Bryson Jeffcoat. He was predeceased by his sisters, Jeanne Stevens, Patricia Fisher, Nancy Fallon; and brothers, Charles Murphy, Jr. and Leo Murphy.