John M. Murphy, Jr.

John M. Murphy Jr. (Mike) passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023 with his loving spouse, Marsha at his side.  Mike was the only son of John M. and Billye Murphy. He was born on November 16, 1942 in Texarkana AR while his father was stationed at Red River Arsenal during WWII. His parents eventually settled in Houston, TX where Mike developed his lifelong passion for golf and his core values were formed through the Houston Golf Association.  He went on to play collegiate golf at both the University of Houston and Oklahoma City University, where he received his BS in Business Administration.  Mike and Marsha were married in Cincinnati, OH on March 22, 1975 and Mike became the love of Marsha’s life and best friend.  For over 30 years, Mike served his country as a Congressional Investigator for the US General Accounting Office.

Mike and Marsha relocated to Bluffton SC.  Mike became steeped in the Rules of Golf and served for many years on the Boards of the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association and South Carolina Golf Association and the USGA Regional Affairs Committee.  Mike gave back to golf through rules officiating at numerous golf tournaments including USGA local qualifiers, AJGA events,  SCGA events, local PGA and HHI events, and elite amateur events, including the Darius Rucker Invitational, Wexford Invitational, CR Invitational, Players Amateur, Azalea, Sunnehanna Amateur, and the Porter Cup.  He also taught Rules of Golf at the PGCC.

Mike is survived by his wife, Marsha Klekamp Murphy, his brother-in laws Gerald Klekamp and Michael Klekamp, his sister-in-law, Mary Susanne Klekamp, nieces & their spouses:  Annie (Klekamp ) & Paul Mulvany, Katie (Klekamp) & Michael Cotton, Molly Klekamp, and nephew & spouse: David & Gisella Klekamp.  He also is survived by 5 great nephews: Luke Mulvany, Nolan, Owen, & Bates Cotton, and Benjamin Klekamp.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. John Church, 9080 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd., West Chester, OH 45069 on February 25 ^th at 10am with burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. A Memorial of his life will be celebrated in Bluffton SC at a later date.  Memorials may be made to the Colleton River Charitable Fund or a charity of your choice.

Colleton River Charitable Fund
60 Colleton River Drive, Bluffton SC 29910