As a kid I delivered the newspaper to the Murphey residence and went to school with the girls from a young age. As a neighbor in the court down the street we all hung out outside riding bikes and playing basketball etc. As I got older, I became better friends with Paula and got to know Chuck better as well. We even hung out a couple of times back before I moved from the area. I remember him always saying " What's the Word? " to greet me. He would give me jobs here and there when I was looking for work or in between jobs. Anywhere from trimming trees to doing construction clean-up. I really appreciated that! He was a good hearted man and always put his family first. May he rest in paradise!

I never got the chance to tell Chuck how proud of him I was.  While still in high school he had a responsible part time job, and earned enough money to support the life style he wanted.  I admired that he built things - and he's "left his mark" in Fremont, San Ramon, Modesto and Hawaii(just to name a few places). I remember after I came back from Australia, Dad drove me around Fremont, pointing out all buildings Chuck had been involved with.  I was amazed.  In 1992 he worked on the visitors center at the Mormon Temple in Oakland.  I remember him talking about the mural and plotting out the ceiling tiles in the library - they had to be laid out on the floor first, starting in the center and fanning outward.  It just wouldn't do to have one side of the ceiling have larger tiles than the other side - the tiles on the edges had to be the same size.  Things had to be done just right.  There were also the  three beautiful houseboats that he built.  I couldn't take enough photos and brag about them and Chuck to my friends.  Actually, I still do!!

He shared that ethic with his girls and his grandsons.  Recently Juleon was painting a slot car to send off with Chuck.  He asked my opinion about whether or not painting it in a particular way, would let him achieve the desired result.  While explaining all this to me, he pointed out that he needed to repaint one of the inside 90-degree corners.  I suggested it probably wouldn't be necessary because no one would notice unless they held the car up to the light, and no one would be doing that.  Juleon simply replied, "Chuck would repaint it, so I am going to repaint it."

I never really got the chance to tell Chuck how proud of him I was.  When he was still in high school he had a responsible part time job, and earned decent money which enabled him to afford the life style he wanted.  Then as a carpenter he built many buildings.  I was in Australia for many of those years, but when I came back, I remember Dad driving me around Fremont showing me the buildings Chuck had been involved with.  In 1992 he was working on the Visitors Center at the Mormon Temple.  I remember him talking about the mural and plotting out the ceiling tiles for the library, and how important it was to him that they flowed out from the center, and weren't just started at one side and hung across to the other...that could result in one side of the ceiling having bigger tiles than the other.  It had to be done right!  And then there were the three beautiful houseboats.  I couldn't take enough pictures to show my friends.  I still tell my friends about them.  

Not long ago one of his grandsons, Juleon, was making a slot car to send off with Chuck.  Juleon was concerned that if he painted it in a particular way, something else he wanted to feature wouldn't show the way he wanted it to.  While he was explaining it to me he mentioned that he was going to have to repaint the corner.  I didn't see what he was talking about and had to ask.  When Juleon showed it to me, I said that no one would ever see what he was talking about unless they held it to the light, which wouldn't be done, so why bother repainting?  Juleon replied, "Chuck would repaint it.  I'm going to repaint it."

I'll never forget the evening I learned about four barrel carburetors, having had no clue why they were such a topic of conversation among my car-owning friends. Plus, Chuck had just put one in his car.  I had an oral report to give the very next day on a book I hadn't finished reading - Henry James's THE AMBASSADORS - not that it matters.  Very late in the afternoon, after facing the realization I would not manage to finish the book in time, I started phoning around to all the college book stores looking for the Cliff's Notes.  I finally found some - over by West Valley College (the original campus) in Campbell - about 25 minutes from where we lived.  And the store was closing in less than 20 minutes.  I was going to drive myself, but in THAT tone of voice we've all heard him use (You know, the one I mean!)he said "You'll never get there in time, I'll drive you."  He dropped whatever he was doing to come to my rescue, like a knight in shining armor riding a white horse (the white horse being his white GTO with the Navy pin strips).  We jumped in his car (Bart'll know the one.) and drove over there.  And yeah, we made it in time, with a few minutes to spare even.  I don't know how fast he had to drive to do it, but I'll guarantee it wasn't the posted 35 mph!  Oh yeah, about the four-barrel... after he took off from a stop light and it kicked in... he said, "There, that's the big deal about a four barrel carburetor!"

I've been digging around my old photos looking specifically for some taken when Chuck and I were kids, well slightly older kids, anyway.  I wanted to post them because they are testimony to a couple of things that Chuck has claimed never happened:  the family dog sleeping on his bed, and Chuck and the dog floating around in a rubber raft together the summer he broke his arm.  But alas...  Take my word for it - it happened!!!!

Growing up on a houseboat with Uncle Chuck there was never a dull moment. From riding in the speed boat, to decorating the houseboat for 4th of July parades, to convincing him to take the day-long journey up the lake, to getting "married" after a scavenger hunt at Pig Roast. Chuck was always the "boss" of the boat, but of course we  went to Sue first so she could do the honor of convincing Chuck we needed to make an ice cream run or to let us drag behind the house boat while we were moving it. I'll never forget the safety rules he taught us. Especially running around the very thin sides of the house boat. He'd always threaten "I'll cut your toes off." Which worked of course because we were never sure when he was joking! Chuck was very tender and loving at times, probably a result of raising his girls. Thank you for the wonderful memories Chuck and for blessing our lives!

Thank you for seeing the potential in my husband Frank, promoting him to Journey Level Carpenter and moving our family to Honolulu, HI in 1990.  It changed our lives in so many positive ways.  Our son Steven was conceived there and he's joked about getting a tattoo that says, "Made in Hawaii".  That whole story starts with "Uncle Chuck got Dad's company to move to Honolulu and they built the corporate offices there..."  Today, that very kid is a Carpenter's Apprentice.  Thank you, Chuck Murphy.

Chuck was a larger than life person , a big man with a bigger heart !! I will always remember our times at the lake with Chuck , Sue , the girls and all of our friends . I first met Chuck & Sue when Paula was just a baby , then came Sarah and finally Chuck Jr. little Jenny .. who we will miss forever and now rest safely in her daddy's arms up in heaven ... Rest in peace my friend , you may be gone from our sight but never from our hearts !!!!

Chuck was a big man with a big heart. Many people were fooled by his tuff exterior, but deep down he was an unselfish, caring man who loved his family deeply. He put many of us to work and taught us a trade, that would carry us into the future. The times that he and his family gave to us on their houseboat will never be forgotten. You may be gone Chuck, but will not be forgotten. Sleep well my friend. May God comfort and keep your family safe in His loving arms, until you see them again, when Jesus comes to take His children home.

I will miss you Chuck! You were always there. You found me work, you helped me with projects. When I needed someone to just hang out with, you were there. Now you are gone and I will miss you. You were a good friend. Thank you for all the memories!

Looking through photos, I found a message from Jenny that spoke to my heart.  This photo was taken shortly before she passed away.  "I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow."

Countless memories and good times on Lake Don Pedro.  You taught us how to balance hard work and play. You were a shining example of a "family man"!

I love you dad!! You did so much for us and I will always be thankful. You were the hardest worker I know and I have always respected that. My life will be different now, but I know your finally out of pain.  As sad as I am for myself and Juleon,  I'm happy for you!!! Love you dad. Rest in Paradise!! Thank you for everything you did for me......

May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.

With our sympathy, love and prayers,
Lisa, Danny and family

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Charles W. Murphey

5 juillet 1952 – 9 juillet 2013

Lakewood Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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