John Thomas Murphy II

Mr. Murphy joined the Navy in 1942 and became a fighter pilot, flying the carrier-based Hellcat. He was also on the Navy swim team. After his discharge from the Navy he attended Johns Hopkins University, graduating in 1950.

After college Mr. Murphy went to work for Maryland Casualty and was first stationed in Baltimore before being transferred to Charlotte where he met Mary Rogers Pender, whom he married in 1954. After Maryland Casualty he had his own insurance agency briefly before teaming with Dick Bray and Fred McPhail to form McPhail, Bray and Murphy (now BB&T Insurance) in 1958. He retired as president in 1996.

After retirement Mr. Murphy spent time with his family, particularly at Wrightsville Beach, and returned to the two sports of his youth, tennis and swimming. He loved playing doubles with his best friends at Charlotte Country Club, and as a Masters swimmer he set numerous state records, won medals at several Senior Olympics, and was also the backstroke leg on the medley relay team that set a world record in 2000.

Mr. Murphy is survived by his five children, John Murphy III and his wife Hunter; Pender Murphy and his wife Patti; Jim Murphy; Amy Murphy; and Kelly Coleman and her husband Johnathan. He is also survived by a brother Hanlon Murphy and a sister Jane Kearns; and seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Owen, Virginia Stormer, Farrell Murphy, Tricia Murphy, John Murphy IV, Johnny Coleman, and Mary Rogers Coleman. And one great-grandson, Cullen Owen.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Clarke and Quentin, and sisters Stephanie and Celestine. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary Rogers Pender Murphy.

Mr. Murphy’s strength, generosity, integrity, gentleness, and unwavering loyalty and love for his family and friends will be remembered and cherished always.

Memorials may be made to Novant Hospice Care or to the charity of choice.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 16 at 1:00 pm. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church at 3016 Providence Rd. The family will gather following the service to greet friends.