Charlie Joseph “Joe” Murphy, age 96, of Orange, Texas, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Beaumont, Texas. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Old First Orange Baptist Church; Pastor Randy Redkey officiating. Rite of Committal and Interment will immediately follow, at Autumn Oaks Memorial Park, with military honors presented by the Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group. Visitation of family and friends will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 10:00 AM until service time. Arrangements were made under the care of Dorman Funeral Home.
On Sunday, January 1, 1928, Joe was born to Brownie Lorenia (McCafferty) and Samuel Westly Murphy, in Ackerman, Mississippi. He was raised on a farm with his nine brothers and sisters.
Joe graduated from Ackerman High School and went to Lamar University.
He served honorably in the United States Air Force, as an Airman, during the Korean War, while stationed in Germany. Joe worked at DuPont, in Orange, as a machinist and precision machinist, and retired in 1985. Joe was a Mason for over 50 years.
Joe met the love of his life, Betty Louise Gueringer Murphy, after seeing her through the drug store window. He was walking down the sidewalk, in Orange, Texas, passing by the drugstore and happened to turn to look through the window. Betty was working inside and Joe said she was beautiful! Even though he was very reserved and quiet, Joe just had to meet her. Three months later, they were married. Joe and Betty were married for 61 years.
Joe was not really interested in having any children. So, with that being the case, Joe and Betty had SEVEN! Us seven children have been cherished beyond measure.
The church was an extremely important part of Joe’s life, from the time that he and Betty married. He served as a deacon for many years. The seven of us children were raised in the church and all the activities therein. Our first trip outside the home was to the church nursery.
Joe and Betty were part of the Builders for Christ group that traveled throughout the United States to build churches. While Joe worked, they would take time to travel the month of July. After he retired, they would spend the three months of summer traveling and helping to build churches.
Joe was an extremely hard-working man and was constantly working on his own vehicles, house, or anything that his kids needed. He was the first person that many called if there was some problem they needed help with; always helping any family member and friends with projects they needed done.
Joe is preceded in death by his Amazing Wife of 61 years, Betty Louise Gueringer Murphy, Grandsons, Brian Adam Wiegand, Casey Murphy, Granddaughters, Samantha Abigail Murphy, Amber Marie Murphy Tucker; Son-in-Law, Michael Lee Bonvillion, Daughter-in-Law, Dana Murphy; and his parents, brothers, and sisters.
Those left to cherish Joe’s memory are his seven children and their families: Eric Hugh Murphy, Cynthia Kay Murphy Bonvillion, David Wayne Murphy and wife, Roxeanna, Carl Joseph Murphy, Terry James Murphy, Jerry Paul Murphy and wife, Annie, Gary Lee Murphy and wife, Diane; grandchildren and families, Joshua Wiegand and wife, Kristen, Timothy, Christopher and wife, Wyndilyn, Michael and wife, Hannah, Aaron, Jacob and wife, Cayla, CarlieJo, Jonathan, Grace, Marisa; Grandson-in-law, Wesley Tucker; Great-Grandchildren, Taylor Jo, Rylee, Connor, Caden, Castiel, Caven, Kaitlyn, Lucas, Lillian, Leo, Annabella, Astra, Carolinah, Ruger, Eli; and numerous members of extended family, and friends.
Honoring Joe as Pallbearers are his sons, Eric, David, Carl, Terry, Jerry, and Gary; Honorary Pallbearers are Joe’s grandsons, Joshua, Timothy, Christopher, Michael, Aaron, Jacob, and Jonathan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Charlie Joseph “Joe” Murphy may be made to the Old First Orange Baptist Church improvement fund.
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