Charles L Murphy

CHARLES LESLIE “CHUCK” MURPHY was born the only child of Frank and Audrey (King) Murphy. He started his journey in life the 24th day of November 1931 in a farmhouse 2 miles west of Ragan, Nebraska. He passed away after a lengthy illness the 26th day of april 2012 at the Hillcrest Care Center, Wray, Colorado at the age of 80.

As a small child his family moved to a farm 6 miles southeast of ragan where he went to rural country schools until his graduation from Wilcox, Nebraska. After graduation he attended radio-electronics school in Omaha, Nebraska where he met his life long mate Gwen Holst at a church social.

Chuck and Gwen were united in marriage June 17, 1951 in Harris, Iowa. to this union were born two sons, Steve and Stan and one daughter, Barb. They started their maried life on a farm near his parent’s farm in Nebraska. An opportunity arose for Chuck and Gwen to purchase a grocery store in Gwen’s hometown of Harris, Iowa. They moved their family to Harris and operated the store for a couple years.  Deciding that wasn’t their forte they moved the family back to Ragan, Nebraska where he took a job with the local Coop elevator. Ovetime he became manager of that facility and moved on to McDonald, Kansas and eventually to Wray, Colorado to do the same thing. Another opportunity arose to become the Wray office manager for Ceres Land and Cattle Company. A short time later the Wray City Clerk retired and Chuck was hired for the position. Twenty-three years later he retired to a life of leisure. Six months of retirement was all he could handle so he decided to go back to work.  Wray Supers was blessed with his expertise in the grocery business. He hadn’t spent much time at the grocery store before a board member of the Wray Country Club suggested he run the Pro shop. Eleven years later he finally retired.

chuck was a member of the Wray United Methodist Church. Chuck and Gwen loved to travel, many of their most memorable trips were taken with Gwen’s siblings. He was a charter secretary of the Wray Elk’s Lodge. He loved to work with wood. Building boxes for his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren were highlights of his life. He also enjoyed building Christmas decorations for all to see.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents. He was also preceded by three great-grandchildren, twins cole and Cooper Schoenthel and Ryan Dale Murphy all born at rest.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, son Steve (Kelly) Murphy, son, Stan (Jo) Murphy of Wellfleet, Nebaska; and daughter Barb (Dick) Dodson of Elwood, Nebraska.  He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Dawn (Luis) Ramos of Killeen, TX, Dana (Frank) Miller of Valentine, Nebraska; Matt Dodson of Elswood, NE, Shelly (Matt) Hardesty, Laura Murphy (Brandon Schoenthel), Shari Murphy(Tommy Bolio) of Benkelman, NE,  Nikki (Malcom) Dornhoff of Heartwell, NE, Sheila (Jeremy) Lutz of Fort Collins, CO; and Justin Dodson of Elwood, NE. Also surviving chuck are eighteen great-grandchildren Alex and Michael Ramos, Nathan, KayLynn, Cody and Casey Miller, Maelyn Pritchard, Alea and Ty Hardesty, Audrey Watkins, Bryant and Alivia Schoenthel, Patrick Murphy,Makenna and Marah Dornhoff, Gracie, Lillie, and Blake Lutz.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 30, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado 80758. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.