Alice Claire Murphy was born on October 17, 1927, in Marlin Texas. She grew up in Hearne, Texas, a small town of about 5,000 residents. After graduation from high school, Claire attended the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1949. Claire has been a loyal Texas Longhorn fan all her life.
Shortly after graduation, Claire began her teaching career. She taught art classes in middle school for 35 years and became a mentor teacher in the years before her retirement. In her spare time, she enjoyed oil painting and has many paintings in her home.
Claire met her future husband Gerald Murphy at the University of Texas. They were married in 1951 and had a daughter Kathy in 1957 and a son Mike in 1959. The family moved to San Diego in 1960.
In 1979, Claire received a Master of Arts in Education from United States International University.
Claire was an active member of The Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists, The Jamestown Society and The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.
She is survived by her son Mike of San Diego, daughter Kathy of Discovery Bay and five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
