James Minter Murphy

James Minter Murphy passed away at home on January 28, 2026, with his wife of over sixty-five years, Sharon (née Farris) at his side, and in the company of his family. A third generation Phoenician, he was born to Ella Mae and James A. Murphy and is preceded in death by his brother, Robert T. Murphy, niece, Molly Elliott (née Murphy) and cousin, Mary Jo Corbin. As was his father before him, Jim was a gentleman to all he met, an active leader in his community and seemingly never had a bad day as you were always greeted with a warm, genuine smile.

Jim attended Madison Elementary School, graduated from North Phoenix High, Class of 1955, attended Whittier College in California and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was also a registered land surveyor. After a start at the Arizona State Highway Department, he formed Phoenix Engineering, a civil engineering consulting firm, which he ran with several lifelong friends and Sharon, who handled the front office. Jim completed projects all over Arizona, often flying to outlying counties in his Cessna 182 Skylane. Jim never lost his passion for engineering, surveying, and working with clients old and new.

Jim’s engineering experience dovetailed nicely with real estate development. Beginning in 1971, he started with small residential subdivisions and later participated in projects as diverse as a commercial office building, a resort RV park, small shopping centers and a multi-use development in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Jim also served as a vice president at Del Webb and as a partner in two homebuilding companies. Whether in real estate or engineering, his belief in first “knowing the numbers” contributed to many a project, and he successfully collaborated with a variety of partners over the years.

Aviation occupied a large corner of Jim’s life, having earned his first pilot’s license at age sixteen in Long Beach, California. He went on to fly commercially for Hughes Airwest and most significantly flew with the 161st Arizona Air National Guard unit out of Sky Harbor. Jim flew everything from Piper Cubs, to KC97s, to T38 Talons and the KC135 Stratotanker as a proud Copperhead with the aerial refueling wing at the 161st. His military missions took him around the globe, from Vietnam to Japan to Europe to South America to Hawaii, and he retired a major after 20 years in service. He continued to fly privately into his sixties. He loved the freedom and precision of flight, but it was Jim’s calm demeanor and innate courage that made for an excellent pilot and first-class military officer.

Jim was an active participant in his community, being both a natural leader and possessing a cooperative spirit. He was a member of the Phoenix Thunderbirds, the Phoenix Art Museum’s Men’s Art Council, the president of his HOA community and a member of the first Valley Leadership Group formed in Phoenix. Jim and Sharon were long-time members of the Phoenix Country Club. Jim was a lifelong athlete himself, having lettered in both track and football at North Phoenix High and Whittier College. In later years he coached his children’s sports teams, played tennis with the family, worked on his golf game and took delight in swimming and sailing small boats in the ocean. He attributed his one first place triathlon trophy to having “finally won the war of attrition” as no one else in his age group finished the race.

The family was the true focal point of Jim’s life. Whatever the topic, be it sports, travel, church, holidays or school, Sharon and Jim involved everyone and guided their entire family with love and support. Their shared love of travel and adventure is well documented in their photo albums, but it was the trips with family that dominate the pages, whether a simple weekend in Rocky Point, Mexico or somewhere farther afield. Through it all, Jim was someone who led by example; he never asked you to do something he wouldn’t do or didn’t believe in himself.

Jim is survived by Sharon, his children, Melinda Xanthos (Bob) and Jim Murphy (Lisa), nephew, Bob Murphy (Trevi) and their extended family, the extended Corbin family and three granddaughters, Megan Murphy, Laura Murphy and Alexandra Xanthos. “Papa”, as they called him, adored his granddaughters and was the ringleader in their special pack within the family. He took great pride in their accomplishments and loved them deeply.

A service will be held on February 20, 2026, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church on Central Avenue at 1:30 PM, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to All Saints’ Episcopal Church.