David Murphy, Jr.'s Obituary
David Murphy Jr, 68, of Eldorado MD passed on to join his family in Heaven on Father’s Day Sunday June 21st at Coastal hospice in Salisbury, MD following a prolonged battle with heart disease and Parkinson’s.
Dave, as he was commonly known by friends and family, was born in Boston, MA in July of 1951. As a young child he lived on the family farm outside of Easton, MD. After his mother remarried, they moved to Rising Sun, MD. He graduated in 1970 from Perryville High school. Shortly afterwards he moved to Easton, MD to live with family friends Jim & Loretta Davenport. He found work at a shell station in Easton where he met his 1st wife Deborah Vernic. They were married in 1973, and briefly lived in Preston before moving to Federalsburg MD. There they raised 2 sons David & Donovan. Following their separation, he moved to Eldorado, MD. He then regularly began attending church and soon met Stacey Searles in 1998. They were married in April 1999. Together they raised her son Chris Willey and had 2 other children together, Susan and Ashur Murphy.
Dave had the utmost conviction in the Savior Jesus Christ. He routinely attended Grace Baptist Church in Hurlock, Maryland with his family. He and Stacey could often be found leading bible studies, marriage counseling, bible school and Sunday school classes. When outside of church it was not uncommon to find him riding motorcycles with the CMA, or engaging people that he met with the word of the lord.
Dave had a knack for making all things mechanical work, and he made a living with his skills. He worked as an ordinance technician at Aberdeen Proving Grounds before moving to Easton. After he relocated to Easton he initially worked as a gas station attendant at Easton Shell and later found work at Hallowell Chevrolet as a mechanic. While living in Federalsburg he would work in maintenance at Solo Cup, Eastern wood treatment facility, boiler engineer at Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge, He would later work in equipment maintenance at J.V. Wells Sawmill in Sharptown. He left the sawmill to manage the Commercial fleet for B&G Foods in Hurlock, where he oversaw the care and repair of the entire trucking fleet. Following the decision to dissolve the B&G Fleet he found work as truck and equipment Maintenance at Barker’s Landing in Easton for a number of years until 2008. He Then worked as maintenance at Eastern lift truck, before moving to Fleet maintenance at Sussex Irrigation in Laurel, DE. When he wasn’t working his full-time job, Dave could often be found helping friends and neighbors with projects around many of the local farms in the area.
He had many past times. He enjoyed riding motorcycles for most of his life. He was an avid Honda owner. He would say “You will meet the nicest people riding a Honda.” He certainly never had problems meeting new people and making them friends. He spent a great amount of time learning to blacksmith and enjoyed working metals while exhibiting at local shows. Often, he could be found gardening, cooking, reading, fishing, hunting, shooting, or just spending time with friends and family. Chances are if you met him, even if he did not know you, he always had something to talk about. And if you would allow it you might talk about things for hours. Ever the enthusiast of conversation, he could spend time talking with people he knew.
He was preceded in death by his parents Roberta & James Dickerson, Father David F Murphy, and Brother Glenn Murphy. He is survived by Wife Stacey, brother and sisters Roger Dickerson, Pauline Clow, Nancy & Barry Greene, Mary & Dewayne Harris, Sons & Daughters Susan Murphy, Chris & Morgan Willey, David & Cheryl Murphy, Donovan Murphy, Ashur Murphy, Grand Children, Matthias, Leila, Elizabeth, Rae Lynn, & Harper.
His final wishes were that his body be cremated and spread amongst daffodils where friends and family routinely pass. If he touched your life, we hope that he is fondly remembered every spring when you pass daffodils.
An end of life celebration is planned for 1PM the afternoon of July 26th at Grace Baptist church in Hurlock. All friends and family are encouraged to attend. It will be a potluck arrangement so please bring a dish and your memories to share.
In Lieu of flowers, the family has set up a Go Fund Me page to support Stacey with expenses and property taxes left unpaid. Please visit the link below. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
But as for me, I will always have hope.
-Psalm 71:14
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