Obituary of Jim Murphy

Jim was born October 10th, 1934 in Hanna, Alberta, the fourth child to Peter Frances Murphy and Mildred Ilene Murphy nee Dryer. He lived on the farm with his parents and siblings; Ollie, Merle Roddie (Johnson) and Allie, Betty, Edie and Adren Murphy. On March 19, 1955 he married Colleen Stafford. That same year the first of seven children was born. Six of them in six years in Lillooet, and ten years later Pam was born in Dawson Creek. Over the years Jim worked at a variety of jobs. From bar tending to cat skinning…he worked hard, always doing an excellent job. In 1955 he was hired by the department of highways in Lillooet, BC. From there he moved his growing family to Big Bar Ranch where many lifelong memories were born. Jim then went to work up north, leaving his young family behind in Salmon Arm. He worked on the Bennett Dam and in 1969 moved the family to the MacKenzie area to a place accessible by float plane and boat only called Coreless Bay. From here Jim went to work for Borek Construction, Ed Turner Construction, Preston Contracting and various other cat skinning jobs. On May 16, 1978 Jim and Solveig Ryan joined households. From this union Jim acquired three step-children. On occasion, Jim loved to sit and talk about past events in his life…usually creating various parts that were of his own creation…at this point Solveig would laughingly say, "Oh Jim, you are in the Deep Woods again!" It was her loving, yet strict hand that kept Jim on track and laughing as they worked together. Many Christmases were made special with the sound of music with Jim on the mouth organ, sister Edie playing the piano and everyone else singing along. It did not matter how small the house, there was always room for more and everyone was welcome, although in his later years he appreciated a quiet home. Jim will be sadly missed by those who loved him. His loving partner and friend, Solveig, children; Susan (Brian) Landry, Peter (Brenda) Murphy, Debra (Herb) Koecher, Colleen Burns (Tom Hill), Maureen (Derrick) Wilson, Sharon Shore, Pamela (Jason) Treleaven , stepchildren; Judy Ryan and Wade Ryan, 18 Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren, sister Allie Garlock and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Mildred Murphy, sisters Betty Patterson, Edie Kidner, Brothers Adren Murphy, Roddie Johnson, Merle Johnson, grandson Jay Butler and step-son, Robbie Ryan. A funeral service was held Friday, December 14th, 2007 at 1:00 pm, from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Pastor Tim Johnson officiated. Interment was held in the Brookside Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium, Dawson Creek, BC.