Norman Wayne Murphy of
Boise, ID passed away peacefully in his sleep October 23 at Valley View Rehabilitation
Center. He was born to Ray and Rose Murphy on April 7, 1936 in Kansas City,
Kansas. He is proceeded in death by his parents, brothers, Don and Sherman, and
sisters, Shirley and Wanda. He is survived by his children Roena (Ken) Lambert of
Boise, Bryan (Gladys) of Lafayette, CA, Brett (Lynne) of Eagle, Bruce (Stacey)
of Salmon and Brad (Lori) of Eagle; sister, Donna Murphy and brother, Art
Murphy. He had 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Norman worked for Meadow Gold Dairy delivering
products throughout the Ada and Valley Counties for almost 30 years. He was
known for his strength at work lifting several cases at a time and awarded for
safe driving. He knew every restaurant owner, manager, cook, and waitress in
town, not to mention all the convenience store employees.
He always had an ear to
the ground noticing when single moms and widows needed help with his mechanic
and construction skills. He bought bunk beds, mattresses, shoes and other items
to help families in need.
In the early 80’s he
gained a heart for church construction after taking a missions trip to Oaxaca,
Mexico, to build a Bible College. He traveled around Idaho working on churches
with his close friend, Russell Brueggemann. Together they built, remodeled and
fixed many churches and parsonages.
He served God faithfully
as a member of Calvary First Assembly of God, at 18th & Main. He was a
Sunday School bus driver, parking lot snow plower, music leader, sound man,
coffee maker, facility caretaker, lover of the church. He was instrumental in
bringing many children and their families to Sunday School and church on the
big white bus. He worked very hard at this ministry, visiting homes on Saturday
to make sure families remembered. He kept a large tackle box stocked with candy
for those that behaved on the ride.
Norman always had side
jobs going to make extra money. He fixed cars, built fences or rooms. The
family had many two-week vacations together throughout the Western states. He
also paid for his two youngest to go to college using money earned from these
side jobs. He was a huge help to his children with painting and other household
projects around their homes.
His hobbies included
whistling through life, singing southern gospel, traveling with the “Calvaryaires”
around Southern Idaho. He also loved working on American cars and complaining
about overreaching big government and taxes.
In his retirement years
he loved traveling to see family, attending the grandkids sports and concerts
and chatting it up with his friends at the Fort Boise Senior Center. He will be
greatly missed by all of us who called him Dad, Papa, brother, and friend.
The family would like to
thank the staff of Valley View Rehabilitation Center for the loving care they
provided over his last months of life.
A Memorial service will
be Nov 8, 4:30 pm at Eagle Life Church, 3838 W. Floating Feather Road, Eagle,
ID 83616. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Boise Rescue Mission.
Funeral Arrangements by Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel.