Otis Murphy, Sr, W4OY (formerly K4GIW) passed away on Monday, March 5, 2018. Otis is the one who pointed me in the right direction to get involved with amateur radio in 1994. He was one of the VEs when I took my first exam early in 1995.
I am sorry to hear of Otis passing . God bless his family in their time of bereavement. 73 AE4OY William
Otis Murphy, Sr, W4OY SK Mr. Otis Murphy Sr, of Milledgeville, passed away at Navicent Health Baldwin on Monday, March 5, 2018. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 110 N. Jefferson St., Milledgeville. Interment will be held in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Milledgeville. The family will have visitation Tuesday, March 13, 2018, from 6 until 7 p.m. with the rosary prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. Mr. Murphy was born to O'Neal and Edna-Mae Lemons Murphy on Nov. 29, 1931. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta. After high school, Mr. Murphy served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. He developed a keen interest in electronics while serving as a radar operator at Pepperrell Air Force Base in Canada during the Korean War. Mr. Murphy believed passionately in the importance of education and service. After completing military service, he attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, earning the bachelor of education degree with a minor in French. His love of education continued on a journey of a lifetime to enrich the minds of young people. Mr. Murphy taught at the Georgia Academy School for the Blind in Macon. He encouraged children to look beyond their physical limitations and to embrace infinite possibilities in learning. He also served as a Scout Leader with the Boy Scouts of America. He later joined the faculty of Boddie High School in Milledgeville, as an assistant principal and later teaching English and French. He inspired students in the joy of English grammar and the beauty of the spoken French language. He continued teaching English at Baldwin High School and was a passionate and empathetic English teacher who sought to bring out his students' unique gifts and talents. Mr. Murphy's commitment for service continued when he began a career in law enforcement in 1982 with the Georgia College campus police, investing years of service to ensure safety on the campus grounds. His passion in electronic communication as a ham radio operator span more than 50 years under the call signs of K4GIW and W4OY. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 50 years. He taught Sunday School for more than 30 years and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Upon retiring from teaching and law enforcement, Mr. Murphy served as a greeter at Walmart for more than 15 years, enjoying many moments of smiles, laughter, hugs, and providing a listening ear to many. He said, "Working at Walmart gave me a chance to see all of my 'young'uns' from school!" After many years of faithful devotion to our Lord, his family and his community, Mr. Otis Murphy Sr. joined our heavenly Father on March 5, 2018. He shared a life filled with love and happiness with so many and leaves a cherished testament of love and integrity with his loving and devoted wife, Verne Patrice Jack Murphy; three loving children: Maxine Bellamy (Major Chaplin Jimmy L. Bellamy), Kimberly Murphy, and Dr. Otis Murphy Jr. (Haruko Murphy); nine loving and faithful grandchildren: Kevin, Renée, Ethan, Faith, Aiden and Ayana Murphy, Myron, Jimmy III and Michael Bellamy; his loving sister, Mildred Taylor. Mr. Murphy also leaves loving nieces and nephews Corene Robinson, Bessie Robinson, Frank Robinson Jr. (Erma Robinson), Kathleen Robinson, Ephraim Pinkney (Phyllis Pinkney), Dr. Douglas Scott, Kade Scott, as well as a host of other loving nieces, nephews, and four sisters-in law: Dr. Carol Ruth Jack Scott (Dr. Nathan Scott), Karen Jack and Grennie Mitchell, Carolyn Murphy. Close friends, Frankie and Thomas Baymon, Charles and Betty Lee. Mr. Murphy was proceeded in death by his first wife and mother to their children, Ruby Murphy, his sister Carolyn (Jean) Carter and his brother Johnny L. Murphy. Express online condolences at www.slatersfuneralhomeinc.com. Slater's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Published on March 9, 2018 http://obituaries.unionrecorder.com/obituary/otis-murphy-sr-2018-1042120776
