James E. (J.E. /Jim) Murphy

• 

Murphy, James E. (J.E. /Jim) Went to his final sales meeting in heaven on August 22 in Paradise Valley, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorraine and second wife, Darlene, James L. (son), grandchildren, Sean and Tara Plunkett. He is survived by brother, John Murphy (Jean) of Paradise Valley; daughters, Mary Plunkett (Hugh) and Susan Barton (C.R.); sons, Stephen (Anne) and Richard; many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. James was born in Minneapolis on October 14, 1914 to James A. and Cora Larpenteur Murphy. As a youth, he served as an altar boy at the Church of Ascension in Minneapolis. He graduated De La Salle High School where he was the school's first golf captain and oldest living graduate. He briefly attended Saint Thomas College. He caddied in the 1930 US Open at Interlachen where he met and talked to Bobby Jones. He was also a close, personal friend to Patty Berg and Bob Wilkinson. His first insurance experience (as a messenger boy) was at Hardware Mutual Insurance Company in Minneapolis. This experience fueled his entrepreneurial passion for sales. This culminated in future executive and ownership positions in several insurance agencies and companies (American Reliable/American Summit) that operated throughout Minnesota and the southwest. He was an avid private aviation pilot and flew many planes over his career. He dealt with several unfortunate, personal experiences with bravery and a deep faith in God. His passing marked an end to an insurance era. He was truly one-of-a-kind. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 10 AM at The Church of St. Patrick, 6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Saturday 1 hour prior to Mass at church only. Donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor or to De La Salle High School. GILLBROTHERS.com MINNEAPOLIS, MN 612 861 6088

Published on August 25, 2013