Donald L. Murphy

Don Murphy Obituary


Donald L. Murphy, 74, of Topeka, passed away at his home on Monday, September 11, 2006 in the loving embrace of his family. He was born on April 20, 1932 in Hannibal, MO, the son of Ralph W. and Frances Manes Murphy.
Don graduated from Hannibal High School where he performed as a member of the choir. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO where he served as student council president, was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma and Blue Key national honor fraternities, and sang in the choir.
After serving in the Army, Don resided in St. Louis, MO before moving to Topeka in 1968. He was a Senior Manager for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company with 34 years of service before retiring on December 31, 1990. Years of distinguished community service included serving as Director of the Topeka Better Business Bureau, fund raising efforts for United Way, Stormont-Vail Hospital, and the YMCA. He was inducted into the Kansas Telecommunications Hall of Fame in 1997.
Don married Millie Flamm on February 1, 1958 in St. Louis. She survives. Other survivors include children, Brian Murphy of Clearwater, FL, Brad and wife, Susie Murphy of San Francisco, CA, Jill Bettis and husband, Tony of Colorado Springs, CO, five grandchildren, Kelsey, Dani, Grant, Grace and Miles.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum. Don will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Friday, with eulogies beginning at 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Murphy Family Scholarship for Nursing, c/o the Topeka Community Foundation, 5431 S.W. 29th St., Suite 300, Topeka, KS 66614.