Dennis Patrick Murphy

Colonel (Ret) Dennis Murphy, 82, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2026, leaving behind a loving family and a life full of service to his country as an Air Force officer and pilot, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Born on 5 November, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, Denny quickly gained a reputation as a man quick with a joke and an energy that proved contagious to anyone around him. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1965 and then proceeded to Pilot Training at Williams AFB, AZ. He flew F-4’s in Vietnam where he received multiple decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

His Air Force career spanned 28 years including roles as Recruiting Squadron Commander, Gunter AFS, Alabama, Base Commander at Chanute AFB, Illinois and Chief, Military Education Division as part of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

As much as he cherished his time in the Air Force, nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with his family. “Pops” as he was lovingly called, brought joy and laughter to all around him time and time again. Never one to shy from singing along to Frank Sinatra, he could also give quite the education on motion pictures which he referred to as “the classics”.

Denny is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Kathy; daughter, Patty and her husband Scott; son, Tom and his wife Richae; four grandchildren, Zachary, Colby and his wife Jessica, Jackson and Alaina; three great-grandchildren, Axel, Kaia and Sunny; his sister, Maureen and her husband Dick; his nieces Kathy and her husband Kavin, Peggy, Shannon and her husband Johnny, and Madlyn, his nephews Wesly and his wife Rachel, and Elliot and his wife Carmin.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 3, at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034. A Committal Service will be follow at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211