Earl “Bud” Murphy passed away at the age of 94 on February 8, 2018. He is deeply missed by his family and circle of friends from the Pollock Pines community. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 68 years, Mary, and whom he loved dearly.
He grew up in Indiana spending summers on a very large family farm riding horses without saddles, indulging in favorite swimming holes, and helping his uncle load a milk truck for delivery.
In 1942 with WWII continuing to rage, Earl and his brother enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Earl served on the USS Tautog (SS-199), a Tambor-class diesel-electric submarine, in the American theater and the Asiatic Pacific Theater. The Tautog is often described as one of the most successful submarines of WWII. During his time on the Tautog, Earl received the Navy Unit Commendation with bronze service star, American and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbons, Good Conduct Ribbon, and Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia with one silver and two bronze stars. On December 27, 1943 he and the Tautog survived 99 Japanese depth charges in one engagement. Uniquely, Earl and a group of fellow submariners chose to serve on the Tautog until it’s decommission date despite being able to choose reassignment.
Following WWII Earl and Mary relocated from San Diego to Alameda, California and began their family. Earl was a loving and faithful father to 6 children; Kathleen, Timothy, Daniel, Michael, Patrick and Maureen. He was grand-father to 13 grand-children and 15 great grand-children. He always found time to spend quality time with his family. He enjoyed the mountains, fishing, hiking and camping; finding favor at Silver Lake, Caples and Wrights Lakes.
Earl worked in the grocery business as a meat cutter and at one point he managed his own meat market. He had a strong work ethic, although was always willing to take time to mentor an interested up and comer. He and Mary would follow their opportunities which eventually brought them to Citrus Heights and then finally to Pollock Pines in 1971.
Earl treasured many long lasting friendships in the community, more than can ever be known. He enjoyed the relationships of his church family at Christian Life Center, where he and Mary were founding members in the early 1980’s. He had strong friendships within his own neighborhood, always lending a hand or pleasantry up until he physically could not, and then his neighborhood often assisted him.
In recent days he regularly enjoyed Boa Vista doughnuts or berry pie, and once again developed friendships with the pie house. The Pollock Pines Safeway showed him much love and friendship as well, where a core group of employees always slowed themselves to chat about life, banter or on super busy days, holler a warm, “Hi, grandpa!”
Earl touched many lives and many generations. He spent his time on earth well; loving, protecting, providing, praying and caring. He lead his family up until his last moment; guiding his family through to the finish.
A memorial service for Earl will be at The Ridge Church (formally Christian Life Center), 5723 Pony Express Court, Pollock Pines. Friends from the community are invited. The memorial will begin at 11 a.m. on March 31.
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