Estill "Jim" Murphy

Albert Estill “Jim” Murphy, 85, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023 at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne. Born in Liberty, Kentucky on March 9, 1938 to the late Elvin Murphy and Retha (Shoopman) Cox, they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana when he was two years old. He served in the Navy for four years.

He was a part of the growth of the computer industry, where he wrote and patented the very first computer banking program. He moved on to owning a business where he did what he loved; heating, air conditioning, and home improvements for more than 40 years. After retirement, he became the Secretary/Treasurer of his neighborhood association where he could be found daily out on his golf cart taking care of his friends, neighbors, and especially the neighborhood dogs. Family was so precious to him; he was known as the ‘rock’ of the family. He loved cooking and spending time with them, celebrating holidays, especially Christmas, having Pepsi with friends, and taking his great-grandchildren on golf cart rides to feed the fish at the pond. He was a mentor to many and was never afraid to give advice or opinion to any that would listen. For many years, he was very involved in youth programs in church. A little-known fact is that he was a member of MENSA since the late sixties.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years, Karen (Breedlove) Murphy; his sons, Greg (Laurie) Murphy, and Michael (Glinda) Murphy; daughter, Sheila (David) Mays; his grandchildren, Brandy Kamphues, Maggie Blackwell, Brittany Kamphues, Nicole (Jamie) Mays-Walker, David (Shelly) Mays, Angela (Andrew) Hernandez, Jerad Murphy; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; brothers, George (Rita) Murphy and Lonnie (Barb) Cox; sisters, Linda (Terry) Wills and Janet Walters; sister-in-law Brenda Cox; former wife, Martha Byrum Murphy; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his precious baby girl, Zora, his Shih Tzu. He was preceded in death by sisters, Violet Brenner and Anna Griffin; brother, Joseph Cox; and various nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home 6424 Winchester Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46819 with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial to follow the service at Prairie Grove Cemetery. Contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to Stillwater Hospice or Emmanuel Community School.