Jimmy Murphy

Jimmy Murphy, 76, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023, at his home in Hamburg with his family by his side. Mr. Murphy was born the oldest of three children to Maxine and N.B. “Nap” Murphy in Crossett on August 27, 1946. After he graduated in 1964 from Hamburg High School, he attended the University of Arkansas and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He married DeAnne Boas in 1973 after meeting at the University of Arkansas, and they were happily married for 50 years. Mr. Murphy worked for his family business from 1954 until 2015, eventually becoming the owner and operator of Murphy Ford Company in Hamburg and Crossett Ford, Lincoln & Mercury. He was a former Commissioner with the Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission. Mr. Murphy wore many titles. Among those were husband, Daddy, Papaw, brother, son, friend, Sunday school teacher, and baseball coach. For decades on Friday nights, he could be found in the press box at Campbell Field proudly announcing for the Hamburg Lions. He had a passion for helping young people which was evidenced by the life impressions he left on dozens of young men through the game of baseball. His summers were dedicated to these young men, sharing his love of baseball and enabling them to create memories that would last a lifetime. As a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Hamburg, he influenced numerous lives as their Sunday school teacher for over 40 years. The class named in his honor remains a reminder of his selfless dedication to his Lord and his church. He also spent countless Sunday mornings teaching Sunday school and sharing his talents with the residents of the nursing home in Hamburg from 1974 until it closed. For the people who loved him most, perhaps the fondest memory was his unparalleled impersonation of Elvis. His rendition of "Blue Christmas" became a popular request on the airwaves of KAGH during the Christmas season. In his free time, you could find him cheering for the Arkansas Razorbacks and grilling for his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Stephen Murphy.

He is survived by his wife, DeAnne Boas Murphy of Hamburg; a daughter, Olivia Murphy of Fayetteville; two sons, Jim Murphy of Hot Springs and Jon Lynton Murphy and wife, Jenny, of Hamburg; a sister, Ila Murphy Campbell and husband, Louis, of Fayetteville, seven grandchildren, Audrey, Alex, Kathryn, Judd, Annie, Ian, and Rae and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are 2 p.m., Friday, March 31, 2023, at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Bobby Pennington and Rev. Robin Allen officiating. Burial will be in the Hamburg Cemetery. Pallbearers are Terry Bynum, Cecil Ray Cossey, Jim Craig, Alfredo Mondragon, Santiago Mondragon, Ted Richardson, Joe Simon and Darrick Tucker.  Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 352, Hamburg, AR 71646. 

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jimmy Murphy, please visit our floral store.