Obituary for John Raymond Murphy

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, John R Murphy passed away peacefully at Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum, South Carolina.

John was the sixth child born in 1946 to Earl A Murphy and Jane Walker Murphy in Lansing, Michigan. He grew up in a large, loving Irish Catholic family and graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

John married the love of his life, Joanne Borg, and together they raised their only son, Marc Anthony, who preceded him in death in 2020.

John spent his entire career in the graphic arts industry. Since his retirement he has enjoyed traveling and experiencing unique cultures while meeting new friends from around the world. His hobbies included extensive reading; completing any type of puzzle; enjoying his free time exploring the medium of colored pencil artwork (at which he excelled); hiking anywhere in the world and educating himself about ornithology. Additionally, he was a lifelong Civil War buff and owned a library which reflected his interest.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joanne, two brothers: Msgr Michael D Murphy and Jerome J Murphy (Janet). Three sisters, Patricia Holl (Dale), Sister Mary E Murphy, and Maureen T Murphy (John Germano) as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

John was predeceased by his parents and his son, Marc; two sisters, Martha Shaw (Richard) and Sister Grace E Murphy, and a brother, William E Murphy.

To celebrate the life of this remarkable man, the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church at 161 N Dean St, Spartanburg, SC (in the historic church) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 11:00 am. A light lunch in the church's community building will follow the service.