James Robert Murphy

James Robert Murphy, 73, of Boise passed away on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at his home.

Jim was born on September 23,1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to John J. Murphy and Gertrude M. Murphy (Newman).

In 1974 Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree and in 1977 a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering both from the University of Houston.

Jim had a successful thirty-four year career as a petroleum engineer in the private and public sector.  From 1977-1986 he worked for ARCO Oil and Gas as a Reservoir Engineer in various locations including Houston, Texas; Bakersfield, California; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.  In 1986 he served for one year as a consultant for the J. R. Butler Company in Houston, Texas.    In 1987, Jim began work with the US department of Energy in Bakersfield CA where he served in various roles as a Petroleum Reserve Engineer. In 1999, he transferred to Arlington VA, finishing his career as one of three petroleum engineers tracking fuel reserves for the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Upon retiring in 2011, he moved to Boise.

Jim was a loving son, brother, uncle and grand uncle. He traveled from where ever his career took him to join family gatherings for holidays and special events. He especially enjoyed post-retirement trips in 2015 to Rome and in 2017 to the Holy Land with members of The Cathedral of St. John’s Catholic Church.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and elder brother John Patrick Murphy.  He is survived by sister-in-law Joan Murphy, Mt. Dora, Florida; sister Mary Bretscher (Paul), Greencastle, Indiana; brother Thomas Murphy (Linda), Los Altos, California;  and nieces and nephews Teresa Anthony, Jay Murphy, Daniel and Andrew Bretscher, Carrie Severson, and Kevin Murphy as well as his beloved beagle, Barney.

A service will be held Thursday, March 3 at 3:00 in the chapel at St. John’s Cathedral in Boise. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Menominee, Michigan.

Donations may be made in Jim’s name to any of the following:  St. John’s Cathedral in Boise; the Idaho Food Bank in Boise; or the Adult Congenital Heart Association in Philadelphia.