grave import

Obituary

Charles Ray "Chick" Murphy passed away January 27, 2015 suddenly after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 13, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Grace Community Church. Interment will be at Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa
Chick was born on May 31, 1926 in Macomb, Illinois to Lee Ray Murphy and Chella Williams Murphy. Chick grew up in Burlington, Iowa where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, and track. Graduation from high school coincided with his 18th birthday and he was drafted soon after. He was stationed in the European theatre with the U.S. Army 36th Texas Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged on July 26, 1946.
Chick then began college at the University of Montana in Missoula and was a walk-on with the
Montana Grizzlies football team. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1950.
Upon graduation he returned to Burlington and was employed with Commercial Credit. In 1953 he
married Patricia Barton Pohren and proudly became a father to Randy also. Charlie was born in 1954
and because of Pat's health, Chick moved the family to Amarillo, Texas. While with S.I.C., the family
lived in several towns in New Mexico and the Panhandle of Texas. Pat passed away in 1966 and in
1968 Chick was transferred to Roswell and that became "home". In 1979, Chick and Shirley Shull
were married. They enjoyed traveling, visiting old friends and being grandparents to 6 grandchildren
until Shirley's death in 1996.

Chick retired from S.I.C. as a regional manager. In 2003 he was one of the first five employees at J.P.
Stone Community Bank in Roswell and was still employed there as a Vice President at the time of his
death. Chick had a long career in banking and finance and influenced the careers of many. He loved
to help people exceed and move up in their careers to the best of his ability. He was always anxious
to help connect people together thru his many friends and acquaintances.

Golf. This was a true joy to Chick. He even liked to play the game. Most of all it was the many
friendships that were started and continued through the years. He and long time friend Jack Krattiger
started the Lender's Exchange Tournament in 1968 and Chick continued the tournament after Jack's
death with the help of Joe Delameter and Tony Lara. This May will mark the 48th year of the
tournament. He had so many treasured memories associated with golf, the tournaments, and the golf
road trips. He especially loved his Thursday-Saturday group. They were so caring of him in the final
days. Chick especially enjoyed the "snow day" they had recently.

Chick will be remembered for his outgoing and friendly personality. He met many people through the
years and always remembered their names and was vigilant about keeping in touch with his friends.
His Christmas Card list ran into the hundreds. It was a time honored tradition for him to get his cards
done over Thanksgiving weekend. His card was usually the first Christmas greeting his friends and
family received. It was not uncommon for Chick to be in some distant town or airport and run into
someone he knew. His big smile and big personality will be truly missed by all.

As well as Ray, Chella, Pat and Shirley, Chick was preceeded in death by his sister, Jean George and
brother-in-law Krome George, Anne Shull Roberts, and Ted Shull. He is survived by his children
Randy (Cindy) Pohren, Charlie (Kathy) Murphy, Pattee Shull Hallgren, Ed Shull, and grandchildren
Trish Murphy Gooch, Barton Murphy, Heather Roberts, Adam Roberts, Josh Hallgren and Stephanie
Hallgren. Also his nephews, Doyle (Adele) George, Bob (Nancy) George and Pete George. Chick
also leaves behind many friends, including Nelda Boyette and his entire Sunday School Class at First
Baptist Church, his banking "family", and his golfing community.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to South Eastern New Mexico Veterans Transportation Network, 2114 W. Second St., Roswell, New Mexico 88203.
Condolences can be made online at www.lagronefuneralchapels.com
Arrangements are under the personal care of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.