James Francis 'Frank' Murphy

And you, most kind and gentle death, Waiting to hush our final breath, You lead to heaven this child of God, Where Christ our Lord the way has trod. — St. Francis of Assisi Frank Murphy, 102, left to walk with the Lord on Feb. 12, 2012, from his most recent home in Rogers, Ark., having lived for 72 years until 2010 in Oklahoma City, Okla. Born on Aug. 10, 1909, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Denis and Minnie (Ryan) Murphy, he grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1927. He attended Rockhurst College for two years, then the University of Illinois and ultimately insurance school in Hartford, Conn. Frank married Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Burdick on Sept. 3, 1938, in Kansas City. They made their home in Oklahoma City, where they raised their five children and Frank pursued his career in the insurance business as an independent agent, retiring at age 82. He served in the U.S. Navy ("dry land" as he called his service) near the end of WWII and was a loyal and active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church throughout most of his life in Oklahoma City. He is survived by all of his children and their children, Patsy and husband, John Vosburgh, of Tulsa, Okla., Denny Allard Higgins of Rogers, Ark., Kathie and husband, Phil Trojanowski, of Scottsdale, Ariz., Alice Murphy Williams of Seattle, Wash., Kevin and wife, Patti Murphy, of Southlake, Texas; his 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. His surviving grandsons in Arkansas are Mark and wife, Tracy Allard, of Siloam Springs, Ark., Paul and wife, Debbie Allard, of Rogers, Ark., and Bart and wife, Missy Allard, of Rogers, Ark. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Jo McManus of Springfield, Mass., and in-laws, Francis Lohkamp of Wichita, Kan., as well as Don and JoAnn Burdick of Lake Travis, Texas. Frank is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lizzie; brothers, Joe, John and Gene Murphy; sister, Dorothy Goudy; and almost everyone else he knew over the years. Frank will be dearly missed for his love of people, his sharp mind, his acute sense of justice, the stories of his youthful athletic exploits and hitchhiking adventures, his appreciation for a spirited argument, and his vast knowledge of sports that most everyone else has forgotten. In his later years, his granddaughter, Mattie, dubbed him the "Irish Setter" for his habit of sitting in his living room in his favorite chair where he visited, "figured" and dreamed. According to Frank's wishes, final celebrations of his life will be held in Oklahoma City. Visitation will be 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, with a rosary to be recited at St. Francis of a Assisi Catholic Church, 1901 NW 18th St., Okalahoma City, OK 73106. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, and at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, located east of Pennsylvania Avenue, officiated by the Rev. Charles Murphy. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 7801 NW Expressway, west of North Rockwell Avenue.