Jerry Murphy

MURPHY, Jerry Bob 83, passed away on November 20, 2017, in Tucson. Jerry was born on September 24, 1934, in Gould, Oklahoma, ten minutes before his identical twin, Jimmy. He is survived by his wife of six decades, Jane Ann Wittwer; son, Phillip; brothers, Jimmy (Patrica) of Tucson, and Jack (Carolyn) of Clovis, N. Mexico; three nieces, two nephews, and 11 grandnieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Pat (1984) and his mother, Dorothy (1988). The Murphy boys grew up in Victory, Oklahoma, a very small town consisting of a school, their house, and a combination gas station and grocery store. Jerry and Jimmy were one of five sets of twins in first grade. The family moved to McNary, AZ in 1948, where their father was a principal and coach for one year before taking similar positions in Florence, AZ the next year. Jerry and Jimmy lettered in four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track, where Jerry helped his teams place third in the state for football and basketball, and first in baseball. He made the Arizona All-Star Football team in 1952. In fact, Jerry continued to play both baseball and softball on two City teams well into his fifties, and was co-founder of the NFL (the Noontime Faculty League) at the UofA, where his exceptional basketball skills remained on display. The twins attended the University of Oklahoma for one year before transferring to the University of Arizona, graduating in 1956. Through ROTC, both brothers served in the US Army. Jerry was stationed for two years at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, while his bride taught school. After moving back to Tucson, Jerry worked in the Placement Bureau at the UofA as a Director before being named Assistant Dean of Men in charge of Student Recruitment, traveling Arizona and across the US enrolling students for the UofA until his retirement. Inducted into the UofA's HALL of FAME for his tireless efforts on behalf of the University, he was also honored for his work by the Navajo Nation with a hand-tooled western belt with his Navajo name, Salt. Jerry was a fine poet and writer, reciting his work at Cowboy Poet Gatherings around the state. Although he admitted he wasn't a cowboy, he always admired that lifestyle and code of ethics by working hard, loving and supporting his family, and being an honest, steadfast, good friend. Jerry was the definition of honor, and stood for our National Anthem -- even when it was playing over the TV. He prepared young lives for the challenges of a world unsympathetic to safe spaces and participation trophies. He knew nothing of celebrity nor fad nor snowflakery. He knew to do what was right, and he taught said creed by example. He even once stood between John Wayne and James Arness to pee in Florence, AZ, and no flowery epitaph could more clearly define a True American than that. A Memorial will be held Sunday, January 14, 2018, beginning at noon, on the South end of Highland Vista Park, which borders the East side of Jerry and Janie's home since 1965. For further details, please contact his son, Phil at (520) 327-8129 as RSVPs would be sincerely appreciated. In lieu of flowers (or disease or critter contributions), the family respectfully requests donations be directed to Tactical Widgetry (3849 E, Broadway Blvd, Suite 117, Tucson, AZ, 85716) for what Jerry and Phil lovingly referred to as a "Kick-The-Bucket Kickstarter" fund for a new American venture Jerry wholeheartedly believed in. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.