James Joseph Murphy

Jim passed away peacefully at Landmark Care Center in Yakima, WA on Sunday January 26th 2025 at the age of 81 after several years bout with Parkinson’s Disease.

Jim was born on June 11th, 1943 in New York, NY to parents Patrick Murphy and Bridget (Cosy) Murphy, both immigrated from Ireland.

As a child growing up in New York – Upper Manhattan, Jim was raised Catholic. He was the youngest of five children – Helen, Mary, Patricia, & Larry all of whom preceded him in death.

After high school, Jim was enlisted with the Air Force for four years. Upon returning home, he later met his future wife and love of his life, Theresa Waters. They met famously at a New Year’s Eve Party and married soon thereafter.

During the early years of his marriage, Jim and his wife met many lifelong friends through the Catholic Church’s program “Marriage Encounter”.

As a young man and newlywed, Jim supported his family working on Wall Street while his wife worked as a registered nurse. With much excitement and anticipation they welcomed the arrival of their precious daughter Christine.

After several years of being a family together, the decision was made to uproot from New York and to move to beautiful Yakima, WA where other good friends and families that had been met during their days and years in marriage encounter in New York had also chosen to live. This was a small and vibrant community of young Catholic families with similar backgrounds, beliefs and interests that continued to make new memories over time and create lifelong friendships.

While living in Yakima after a short while, they welcomed the new addition and arrival of their faithful son, Charles Murphy.

Jim initially found work in Yakima temporarily with several local businesses and YVCC. Jim later found more permanent and lasting work with the Yakima Police Department in personnel where he provided nearly 30 years of honorable service to the local community working with the public on a daily basis.

Since living in Yakima, Jim attended the local churches of St. Joseph’s, St. Paul’s and primarily Holy Family Catholic Church.

Jim’s life centered around his relationship with his family, his friends and most importantly his relationship with his eternal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

During the last two decades of Jim’s life, the love he shared for his relationship with God permeated the loving and lasting friendships that bonded him with people from all walks of life. Jim was a man of God and reveled in his fellowship as a member of the “Holy Family Men’s Ministry” with his Christian brothers who found strength, support and inspiration in their memorable retreats, outreach projects and regular meetings together, immersing themselves in scripture with one another throughout the years. One of Jim’s signature sayings was “God knows me and I know God!” He also believed and would say to others “Let God into your life and he will never leave”.

Jim had a generous and giving heart, a wonderful sense of humor, quick wit and a gift for spirited conversation. He enjoyed watching movies and sharing meals with friends at home as well as local and regional restaurant establishments. He was an avid donor of blood with the American Red Cross and took great pride in having donated literally ‘gallons’ of blood during his lifetime.

Jim is survived by his ex-wife Theresa Waters, daughter Christine Switzer (of whom grandsons Jackson Murphy and William Umina)& her husband Dan Switzer, son Charles Murphy, sister-in-law Shirley Murphy and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

An evening Vigil will be held at Holy Family Church on Tuesday February 11th from 530pm – 730pm. Rosary will be said from 600pm-630pm and a Eulogy sharing memories of Jim following.

Funeral Mass Services will be held the next morning on Wednesday February 12th from 1000am-1100am at Holy Family Catholic Church followed by luncheon at the church from 1115am-1245pm.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery on February 12th after 100pm.

All who knew Jim are invited, encouraged and welcome to attend these services on either, and or both dates. We look forward to celebrating his life and the life to come as he continues on his eternal journey with the Lord.