Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy, 67, of Clarkdale left this life peacefully with his family by his side on Friday May 24th, 2019. He was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois on July 11th, 1951 and grew up on Chicago's South Side. Tom's group of friends from the old neighborhood stuck together for the rest of their lives, and stayed close even after he traveled to Jerome in 1975, took one look at the view of the Verde Valley below, and decided to stay there. One year later he met his soul mate and future wife Truly, and together they built a family and a home in Clarkdale. Tom worked for burgeoning businesses in the Verde Valley, including the Jerome Instrument Corp (JIC), later Arizona Instruments, and Bent River Machine. He was meticulous in all of the work that he did, despite a total distaste for authority. He served Clarkdale as a volunteer firefighter for fourteen years and later had a historic workshop on his property restored as a well-loved guest house, introducing guests from all over the country and the world to the place he loved. After his retirement he volunteered at Verde Valley Medical Center as well.
His love for his wife, children, and grandchildren was rivaled only by his love for riding his Harley, listening to music, sitting in the river, or reading a good book with a cold beer. In short, he knew how to live. Tom bravely battled for his health for years, never giving up, and always with a sense of humor. We will hold him in our hearts always for his friendship, love and loyalty. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Daniel Murphy, his brother Mark Murphy, his daughter, Shawn Murphy-Shepard, and his sister Romana Drobick. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Truly Murphy of Clarkdale, his son Seth (Cathy) Murphy of Clarkdale, daughter Sarah (Dwain) Dement of Jerome, daughter Molly (Aaron) Whittaker of New Jersey, brother Dan (Judy) Murphy of The Villages, FL, his grandchildren, and his many beloved friends and extended family members. There will be a Celebration of Life in his honor at Lawrence Memorial Hall "Spook Hall" in Jerome, Arizona on Saturday, July 13th, 2019 at 2pm.