Richard Murphy

Leroy Richard Murphy 1942 ~ 2015 Leroy Richard Murphy, 73 of Kenai Alaska and also Twin Falls Idaho, passed away at his home in Kenai on November 3, 2015 of congestive heart failure. Preferring to go by Richard, he was born January 7, 1942 in Twin Falls Idaho. He grew up and attended schools graduating from Valley high school in Eden Idaho, then went on to study Body and Fender at Idaho State T&T, and also studied Diesel Mechanic at Idaho State T&T. Richard was the owner of Richard's 66 Service, in Murtaugh Idaho, Murphy's Pizza Place in Hazelton Idaho, then he became a farmer and owned and managed his own farm from 1962 to 1997. At the age of 55, in 1997 due to health reasons, Richard was forced to retire. But during his time on the farm, he received the Coors Top Barley Grower Award. On April 19, 1963, Richard married Ilene Nebeker. To this union was born one son, James Richard Murphy. They were later divorced and Richard then married Joyce Beck, with a divorce following shortly thereafter. In the fall 1992, Richard met and was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Bessie (BJ) Riley. In 1999, he was stricken with cancer. She remained by his side at all times being a nurse to him. He had several treatments of chemotherapy and was later in remission. From there in the spring of March 2000, they took off and went to Las Vegas for Easter and said"I Do" for many lifelong adventures together. They traveled to Disney twice, took an Alaska cruise with his Uncle Joel and Aunt Shirley Ashley, and took an Alaska trip with his Uncle George and Aunt Joyce Murphy. In 2005, Richard and BJ bought their dream home in Kenai Alaska and a resident of Alaska until his death. Some of Richard's hobbies include snowmobiling, fishing, camping, Search and Rescue team, traveling, dancing, and the Valley Riding Club. Richard was a great family man and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The trips, rodeos, NASCAR races, being snowbirds in Arizona in the winter and especially the fishing trips in Alaska for Salmon and Halibut. Surviving Richard is his loving wife, BJ Murphy, her three daughters, Sheila (Shane) Lee, Stephanie (Lee) Koretoes, and Shauna (Bruce) Hare, his son, James Richard (Jackie) Murphy, and his 12 grandchildren, Merissa Marlof, Alesha (Cody) Wood, C.J. Broner, Chance Koretoes, Kaylee Koretoes, Shyanne Lee, Jordanna Lee, Derek Murphy, Jasmine Murphy, Rellis Murphy, Tyler Murphy, Brooklyn Wood and Stetson Hare and also 10 great-grandchildren. His mother Lois (Lewis) Murphy, his father Rellis Heber Murphy, one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter preceded him in death. Funeral services for Richard will be held Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 723 Hankins Rd., Twin Falls with Bishop Brian Ward officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, November 13, 2015 from 6:00 -8:00 P.M. at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls and Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 1 PM to 2 PM at the church. Interment will be held following services at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Twin Falls, where Richard will be laid to rest next to his parents. All services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on Richard's Memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.