Thad Martin Murphy
Nov 1, 1965 - Dec 11,2015
Submitted by:  Ann Weber

BILLINGS FUNERAL HOME
WOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
(permission granted)

Funeral:  1:00 PM Wednesday, December 16th, 2015
 May Fire Department Building
 
Interment:  2:00 PM Wednesday, December 16th, 2015
 Mt. Olive Cemetery    
 
Thad Murphy, 50 years old of May, Oklahoma, passed away Friday, December 11, 2015, in the home he built for his family north of May. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 16, 2015, in the May Fire Department with Reverend James Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Thad Martin Murphy entered this world November 1, 1965, in Shattuck, Oklahoma; the youngest of four children born to Don and Carol Murphy. He spent his younger years with his family in parts of Kansas and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. Thad attended junior high and high school in Woodward. He graduated from Edmond Memorial High School in 1984.

Thad had a real talent and passion for basketball which led him to playing two years at Oklahoma City University. He spent a year studying Petroleum Engineering at the University of Oklahoma before his love and desire to continue to play the game took him to Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He played ball there for two more years and obtained his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Math. In 1990, Thad went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Animal Nutrition from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. It was there he met his wife of 25 years, Mary Elizabeth. They were married April 14, 1990, and welcomed their daughter, Bonnie Colleen, on December 11 of that year. March 13, 1995, brought the birth of their son, Gage Ryan, in Garden City, Kansas.

Some of his favorite things were fishing; where he was known as “Tall” to his dad and brothers, attending everything his children did, and watching their sporting events. His pride and joy were his wife, kids, and his dogs; along with his mother, brothers, and sister. Thad was a quiet man, but was never shy about showing his emotions. His love, his pride, and his devotion to his family and the community were apparent in everything he did which made him willing and proud to serve as Fire Chief for the May Volunteer Fire Department.

Thad was a man who could fix anything and took pride in the fact he taught himself to do most of it on his own. He was a farmer, rancher, builder and remodeler, mechanic, and welder; just an all around handyman. If he didn’t know how to do it, he knew somebody that knew somebody that knew how to do it.

He loved working with his hands, the cows, and farming the land. Thad always said he was so blessed he got to wake up every day and do what he loved, with those he loved, in the place he loved the most.

Thad has left a 6'9" hole in all our hearts and will be greatly missed. His family takes comfort knowing he was saved and they will see him again.

Thad is survived by his wife Mary; his daughter Bonnie; and his son Gage all of the home; mother, Carol Murphy of May; sister, Dana Murphy of Edmond; two brothers, Mark Murphy and wife Donna; Todd Murphy and wife Rita all of Woodward; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Geral and Jamie Smith of Colorado/ New Mexico; two sisters-in-law, Jonnalea Tortorelli and husband Jarrod of Colorado; Melissa Amato and husband Gianni of Texas; two brothers-in-law, David Smith and wife Csilla of Texas; Joel Smith and wife Chesna of New Mexico; numerous nieces and nephews, his faithful four legged companions, as well as many more friends than he ever even imagined.

He was preceded in death by his father Don E. Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, Thad’s family requests donations to the Mt. Olive Cemetery or the May Community Rural Fire Department with the funeral accepting the donations on behalf of the family.