Donald Alfred Murphy

Donald Alfred Murphy, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away on November 11, 2026. He was born in Miami, Florida, to Sterling Floyd Murphy and Mary Hovart Murphy on June 5, 1943, the youngest of four children. Don attended Miami Jackson High School and South Georgia State College. He was an outdoorsman at heart who loved exploring the Everglades.

In 1963, Don married Tamara Lange and they had three children, Jennifer Kay (Jeff) Hollingsworth, Jeffrey Donald (Christy) Murphy, and Jill Anne (Chris) McCown. Don began running Murphy’s Truck Rebuilding Service in 1966 after the passing of his father. As the children grew, the family enjoyed adventurous times in the Big Cypress National Preserve where he built a house and swamp buggies, and raced airboats. Because Don loved the great outdoors and his hobby was hunting, he traveled in the western United States with family and friends.

After Tamara went home to be with the Lord in 1989, Don was introduced to Ann Carneal, a professor at Barry University in Miami. When they were married in 1992, Don became “Pops” to her son, Chris (Lyndie). Don and Ann enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, occasionally accompanied by their children and grandchildren.

Don and Ann were blessed with eleven grandchildren: Tamara and Morganne Hollingsworth; Allie, Ashley and JD Murphy; Matthew and Macy McCown; and Grace, Emma, Christian and Camden Carneal. Don cherished their visits to Ft. Lauderdale as well as his time at their homes in Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee. They took cruises together and gathered for “cousin camp” in Highlands, North Carolina. Don’s love of family extended to his many nieces and nephews and their families.

Don’s unwavering faith in Jesus Christ molded him throughout his live. He trusted Jesus as his Savior at age nine at Miami’s Highland Park Baptist Church and later served as a deacon at Allapattah Baptist Church and New Testament Baptist Church in Miami and at First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale. He became a member of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in 2021.

Everyone who knew Don was aware of his love for the Everglades and how he delighted in taking friends and family on wilderness adventures. In 2006, he built another house on “his little piece of heaven.” A highlight was hosting his family of 21 for Thanksgiving “at camp”.

Don’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, generosity and commitment to prayer. He was a great source of strength for his family, modeling eternal security through his witness for Jesus.

The family extends their gratitude to all who have generously contributed their time and prayers during these past few months.

Don echoes 2 Timothy 4:7 from the Apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Celebration of Life:

Monday, November 23rd at 10am

Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

Reception to follow

In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to:

www.bigcypressrefuge.com

crpc.org

first priority.cc

knoxseminary.com