David Ray Murphy, age 85, peacefully left his earthly home on Monday, May 27, 2024. It is appropriate that he joined his loved ones in heaven on Memorial Day, a day he cherished with family for years in reverence of those who passed before him.
David was born January 24, 1939, to Mildred (Nye) Murphy and Virgil Murphy. He was a lifetime resident of Riley County, Kansas, attending school in Manhattan and later Keats. He attended Kansas State University from 1957 to 1959, participated in the ROTC program, and sang in the Men’s Glee Club in its inaugural years. David worked at the Manhattan Public Library, was a carrier for the Manhattan Mercury, and served in the Kansas National Guard, all the while helping many local relatives and neighbors with farm work. After ten years as a Staff Sergeant E-6 in the National Guard, David was discharged from service and began what would become a 36 ½ year banking career. He retired on December 31, 1999, the eve of the new millennium, from his position as Senior Vice President.
David fell in love with his wife, Angela Arlene Schurle, during their high school years, and they were married on September 25, 1960 at the Keats Methodist Church. David and Angela were blessed with a son, Dan, and daughter, Becki, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. David deeply loved his family, and made many memories with them fishing, traveling, skiing, metal-detecting, and making music. Above all, he loved sharing his love of Jesus with everyone. He was a faithful attendee of Grace Baptist Church, and served as song leader for about 40 years, leading the congregation through 3 hymnals and 4 pastors during his tenure! David was on the Board of Directors for the Philippine Evangelical Enterprises, Inc. (PEEI) and traveled various times to share Christ’s love in word and action. He knew and loved the Bible, memorizing much of God’s Word, reciting it, and praying, even until the hour before he left this world.
David will be dearly missed by his wife Angela, son Dan Murphy (Diane) and daughter Becki Bohnenblust; grandchildren Krista Moore (Branden), Kascha Johnson (Anthony), Anna Murphy (Ian Thackray), and Zach Bohnenblust; great-granddaughter Taelyn Johnson; and many extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mildred Murphy, and son-in-law, Lynn Bohnenblust.
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Grace Baptist Church, 2901 Dickens Avenue in Manhattan. Inurnment will be in the Sunrise Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Gideons International or Philippine Evangelical Enterprises, Inc. (PEEI). Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.