Joseph "Joe" Edgar Murphy

Joseph “Joe” Edgar Murphy passed away on July 2, 2022, at a local hospital surrounded by family.

He was born on January 16, 1937, to Joseph Edgar and Ellen Faye (Annan) Murphy. He attended schools in Neihart and Great Falls. He started working for Lyman Ranch in his early teens. Later he was employed by the ACM Smelter and then Great Falls Public Schools. After 40 years of service, he retired as the Buildings and Grounds Supervisor.

We learned many life lessons from dad; work hard, finish what you start, love your family, love God, and be thankful for all He has given you. He was a typical Irishman and loved a good joke, a good story, and a good drink shared with family and friends. Joe's other great loves were the Neihart mountains where he was raised, cut wood, and often went to clear his mind. He loved spending time in his garage and his yearly hunting trip, but most of all he loved all of us.

He is survived by his wife, Rita, of 63 years; son, Bret (Kathy) Murphy; daughter, Stacey (Chris) Tinsley; grandchildren, Cassie (Mike) Delbridge, Carleen (Tony) Wright, Courtney (Dave) Murphy, Kelby (Carlie) Murphy, Hannah (Wes) Crawford,  and Joe (Shelbe) Tinsley; great-grandchildren, Sam and Emmy Crawford, Cailin and Colton Wright, Lillee and Reed Tinsley, and Kaitlyn (Hayden) Debridge-Hetland; great-great grandchildren, Amberly and Dallie Hetland; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A funeral liturgy to celebrate the life and memory of Joe will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. To honor Joe's memory, donations can be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.