Richard Murphy

Richard Ross Murphy, age 97, of Lee's Summit, died Friday, April 30, 2010, of pneumonia. He was born July 11, 1912, in Tebbetts, the son of the late Luther and Dr. Patty Blair (Ross) Murphy. He married Gladys Bernice Acuff on October 1, 1934. Four children were born of that union: Judy Ann Trammell, Kay Sue Tremaine, Richard Dale Murphy, and Ross Dick Murphy, who died in infancy. He married Margaret Greenway on October 15, 1963, she preceded him in death March 15, 2006. He is survived by one son: Richard D. Murphy of Los Angeles, California; two daughters: Judy A. Trammell of Jefferson City, and Kay S. Tremaine and husband, John, of Holts Summit; one step-son: Milton Greenway and his wife, Connie, of Oceanside, California; grandchildren: Jina K. Johnson and husband Glen, Jay T. Trammell and wife Angie, Scotty B. Payne and wife Dana, and Kamla R. Payne; seven great-grandchildren: Drace Johnson and wife Lindsey, Cheznae Johnson, Nicholas and Mallory Trammell, Blair Lee and Tanner Murphy Payne, and Justin Hawkins; great-great grandchildren: Dakota Raye Johnson and Kyler Hawkins; step-grandchildren: Kathryn Jesse and husband Mike, Greg Greenway and wife Robyn, and Ben Greenway and wife Kari; step-great grandchildren: Kollin and Konnor Hill, Kian Jesse, and Asheley and Cole Greenway; along with one-step great-great granddaughter: Addison. He is also survived by his nephew, Joe Ross Kyger of Hollister; and niece: Susan H. Schuster of Springfield; along with many great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death also by his three sisters: Olive Burnett of San Francisco, California, Pansy Evans of Raytown, and Susan Wekerlin of Springfield. He also leaves behind many loving friends including: Betty Hoyt of John Knox Village. He graduated from New Bloomfield High School in 1931. He owned and operated a dairy farm east of New Bloomfield for many years and began working for REA in Fulton in 1956, until his retirement in 1977. He lived in Jefferson City from 1963 to 1977 when he and his wife, Margaret, retired and moved to John Knox Village. He was a lifelong member of Southern Baptist Churches in Missouri including: Providence Baptist Church of New Bloomfield, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church of Holts Summit, and the First Baptist Churches of Jefferson City and Lee's Summit. He was an active member of the Baptist Church in Lee's Summit well into his 90's when he joined the Village Church at John Knox Village. During his almost 33 years of retirement, he enjoyed playing golf and pool, traveling, building things in his workshop, and doing volunteer work. Throughout his life, his abundant energy, strength, kindness, and loving nature were sources of inspiration to his family and many friends. Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 2, at 1:00 p.m. with visitation from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133. The family suggests contributions to the John Knox Hospice, 400 NW Murray Rd., Lee's Summit, MO 64081.