A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for James W. Murphy, 64, a resident of Davenport, will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 1, 2012, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1506 Brown St., Bettendorf. Burial will be at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Long Grove, IA. The family will hold an Irish Wake on Friday, November 30, 2012 starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Quarter Til Tap, 4101 – 14th Ave., Rock Island, IL. In keeping with Jim’s wishes, cremation rites were accorded. Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jim died Saturday, November 24, 2012 at his residence in Davenport after a brief illness.
James Wylie Murphy was born May 28, 1948 in Davenport, the son of Francis Wylie Murphy and Gertrude (Johnson) Murphy. He graduated from Assumption High School in 1966 and attended Palmer Junior College, Davenport. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, enlisting in 1968.
Jim was the former owner of Murphy’s Tap, Davenport. He had a passion for politics and worked tirelessly for many Democratic campaigns throughout his life. Jim had a knack for storytelling that will be missed by many.
He was united in marriage to Marilyn Fontenoy August 18, 1972.
Memorials may be made to Diocese of Davenport Catholic Charities
Survivors include his daughters, Tina (Rob) Langrell, Henderson, NV, Donna Carlile, Phoenix, AZ, and Erin (Rod) Price, Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren, Megan, Caitlin, Connor, Garrett, Nikki, Tatum, Lily and Brady; his siblings, Marjorie (Ed) Barrett, Dan (Judy) Murphy, all of Bettendorf, Muriel Murphy-Martinez, Moline, Janice (Steve) Gaertnier, Davenport and Michael Murphy, Mesa, AZ.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother Patrick Murphy, a daughter Nickol “Nikki” Murphy, April 4, 1980 and a grandson Alexander Brickley. May they rest in peace.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Jim’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
