Obituary of Kenneth Murphey

Kenneth Dale Murphey was born October 12, 1921 in Tulsa, OK to Elmo Dean & Lynne (Codding) Murphey and passed from this life on February 21, 2014 in Claremore, OK at the age of 93. Kenneth attended grades 1 - 12 in Tulsa, graduating from Central High School in 1938. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma A&M. He served in the Army from 1942 - 1945 as a member of Company B 305th Engineer Battalion, 80th Division. He participated in battles in France and Germany and was decorated with a Purple Heart and a European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. He began his career as a surveyor for the U.S. Geological Survey and with his wife, Betty, lived in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado. When he left the Survey he returned to Tulsa and for several years worked for Western Supply. He then went to work for Industrial Fabricating Company and was the head of the Estimating Department there until his retirement in 1982. Kenneth was very active in the Christian Church. For many years he taught Sunday School, served as an elder and sang in the choir. His passions in life were his family and friends - his greatest joy was helping others. As his mobility decreased toward the end of his life, he loved to look at pictures of his family and talk about the people who meant the most to him. One of his last pieces of advice to his immediate family was, "Just love everyone." That sums up his approach to life Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Betty Imogine (Dean) Murphey; his son, James Kenneth Murphey; his sister, Rachelle Wyckoff; and his brother, Dean Murphey. He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Suzanne Kiibler and her husband, Tom; his grandchildren, Rachelle Anne Randall, Ryan Emmett Randall and Jennifer Kathryn Murphey; one great grandson, Kevin O'Mara; and several beloved nieces and nephews. His service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Ninde Brookside Chapel with final interment at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow, OK. Ninde Brookside Chapel, 918.742.5556, ninde.com