Patrick J. Murphy

Sturtevant -- Patrick J. Murphy, age 82, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2014, at his residence.  He was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 11, 1932, son of the late Edward and Marjorie (Nee: Danford) Murphy. He was united in marriage to Jean Jensen on February 14, 1993.

A native of Wisconsin, Pat was born and raised in Wauwatosa, graduating from Pius High School in 1950. Not long after, he journeyed to Parris Island, South Carolina, reporting to boot camp as a Marine Corps recruit.  It was there he was schooled in the Core Values that form the bedrock of a Marine’s character: Honor, Courage and Commitment, the latter a value obvious to anyone who has ever worked with Pat.

Following recruit training, and a stint at Camp Pendleton, Pat was sent to Korea, where he served for almost two years, seeing action around Pusan.  A Purple Heart  recipient, he returned to the States in 1952, assigned to duties in San Francisco and Camp Pendleton, after which he became a Drill Instructor in San Diego, where it became his turn to teach young Marines how to “stand tall with pride.”  Like many young men of the era, Pat received orders for Vietnam, serving in 1965-'66 on the U.S.S. Iwo Jima as Operations Chief for Special Landing Task Force and seeing action in places like Chu Lai, Phu Bai, and Hue.

He returned to the Sates in 1967 and, a year later, landed in Racine as a Marine Corps Recruiter, serving in that capacity for the next two years.  In 1970, he saluted active duty goodbye.  The next 20-plus years found Pat teaching at various schools, including Goodland School, Washington Junior High School, Giese School and Mitchell Middle School, retiring from full-time teaching in June 1993.  A familiar fixture at each school was the Popcorn Machine that Pat bought, and which he used to help with fund raising.  After retiring from teaching, Pat returned his commitment to the Corps by dedicating his time to the Agerholm-Gross Marine Corps League.

Survivors include his wife, Jean; his children, Kevin (Lori) Murphy of Kalamazoo, MI, Kristin (Christopher) Klages of Hales Corner, WI, Dr. Steven  (Ivonne) Murphy of Shorewood, WI; stepchildren, Mark (Kathleen) Nielsen of Racine, Jill (Mark) Hoffman of Racine; 11 grandchildren, Erin Murphy, Tyler Dombeck, Patrick Murphy, Michael Pincinkowski, Turner Hoffman, Kathryn Klages, Karolyn Klages, Nicolas Murphy, William Murphy, Diego Murphy and Clara Murphy; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Dorothy Murphy of Greenfield, WI, Diane (Ed) Kollenbroich of Milwaukee; mother-in-law, Jennie Jensen of Madison, sister-in-law Elaine (Edward) Huck of Madison; many loving nieces and nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he also was preceded in death by his first wife, Katheryn (Nee: Schweitzer); and his brother, Howard.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 30, at noon, with Rev. Roger Black and Rev. Bruce Clanton concelebrating.  Private interment will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Cemetery, Town of Dover.  Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family on Wednesday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of service.  Memorials to the Wounded Warriors or to The Schools of Hope, United Way of Racine, have been suggested by the family.

A very special thank you to the entire staff at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center and Vitas Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI      (262) 634-7888