Jerry Louis Murphy was born at home in Dexter, New Mexico, August 24, 1943. He was the second-born child of Pearl and Lee Murphy. Jerry's lively, easy-going nature was evident from an early age. He embraced all that life had to offer and spread friendship, joy and encouragement everywhere he went.
After graduating from Roswell High School in 1961, where he was a star football player, Jerry joined the United States Marine Corps, serving 4 years as Military Police Officer at North Island, San Diego, California. Upon returning home, he joined the Roswell Police Department. He married Brenda Kay Belew February 14, 1967 and their daughter, Melissa Ann, was born February 21, 1969. Later that year, the young family of three moved to Huntsville, Texas so that Jerry could study at Sam Houston State University. While attending SHSU, he worked at the Texas Department of Corrections, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Upon obtaining his Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Jerry took a teaching position at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas in 1975. In addition to teaching Law Enforcement in the academic Criminal Justice program, his influence extended throughout the law enforcement community through his teachings at the Regional Police Academy.
Jerry married Tracy Lynn Mears on February 24, 1978. In June of 1978, Jerry, Tracy and Melissa moved to Ada, Oklahoma, where Jerry taught Law Enforcement at East Central University while pursuing a doctorate in education at Oklahoma State University. Returning to Texas in 1984 so that Tracy could be near her parents, he started his career over as a correctional officer and rose through the ranks to Assistant Warden by 1988. He never abandoned his love of education, however, always teaching at local colleges, police academies and even a couple of high school classes. An example of Jerry's wide-ranging influence occurred the day after he left this physical world -- a Texas Ranger was visiting in the office of a TDCJ Senior Warden in Beaumont. After receiving a phone call, the Warden sadly said, "One of my heroes just died." When the Ranger learned that it was the same Jerry Murphy who had been his teacher at Lamar more than 20 years prior, he said, "He's my hero, too. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for him. He encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a Texas Ranger and convinced me that I could do it." The Warden also credited his success to Jerry, who had promoted him to Captain, mentored and encouraged him.
As dedicated as he was to his career, Jerry was even more dedicated to his family. A colleague once recounted to me a story of being in a workshop with Jerry; their first assignment was to list their identities. Most people listed their job title first; Jerry's first three entries were grandfather, father and husband. He loved us with his whole being and took delight in sharing stories about us all.
At the time of his transition from this physical world, Jerry was survived by his mother, Pearl Murphy McTee, and her husband, Tommy McTee (both of whom have since left this physical world). Left to continue his legacy of love and service to others are his daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Shawn McCune; grandchildren, Justen McCune, Justin Murphy and Brittany McCune; brother, Larry Murphy; sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Barry Freeman; brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Pam Murphy. He dearly loved all his family and friends and had the opportunity to be an important part of many of their lives, and they his. You know who you are.
And then there's me. I was blessed beyond words to be his wife in this physical world for 21 years, 4 months and 28 days. He will be my husband for eternity.

Jerry Louis Murphy was born at home in Dexter, New Mexico, August 24, 1943. He was the second-born child of Pearl and Lee Murphy. Jerry's lively, easy-going nature was evident from an early age. He embraced all that life had to offer and spread friendship, joy and encouragement everywhere he went.
After graduating from Roswell High School in 1961, where he was a star football player, Jerry joined the United States Marine Corps, serving 4 years as Military Police Officer at North Island, San Diego, California. Upon returning home, he joined the Roswell Police Department. He married Brenda Kay Belew February 14, 1967 and their daughter, Melissa Ann, was born February 21, 1969. Later that year, the young family of three moved to Huntsville, Texas so that Jerry could study at Sam Houston State University. While attending SHSU, he worked at the Texas Department of Corrections, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. Upon obtaining his Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Jerry took a teaching position at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas in 1975. In addition to teaching Law Enforcement in the academic Criminal Justice program, his influence extended throughout the law enforcement community through his teachings at the Regional Police Academy.
Jerry married Tracy Lynn Mears on February 24, 1978. In June of 1978, Jerry, Tracy and Melissa moved to Ada, Oklahoma, where Jerry taught Law Enforcement at East Central University while pursuing a doctorate in education at Oklahoma State University. Returning to Texas in 1984 so that Tracy could be near her parents, he started his career over as a correctional officer and rose through the ranks to Assistant Warden by 1988. He never abandoned his love of education, however, always teaching at local colleges, police academies and even a couple of high school classes. An example of Jerry's wide-ranging influence occurred the day after he left this physical world -- a Texas Ranger was visiting in the office of a TDCJ Senior Warden in Beaumont. After receiving a phone call, the Warden sadly said, "One of my heroes just died." When the Ranger learned that it was the same Jerry Murphy who had been his teacher at Lamar more than 20 years prior, he said, "He's my hero, too. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for him. He encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a Texas Ranger and convinced me that I could do it." The Warden also credited his success to Jerry, who had promoted him to Captain, mentored and encouraged him.
As dedicated as he was to his career, Jerry was even more dedicated to his family. A colleague once recounted to me a story of being in a workshop with Jerry; their first assignment was to list their identities. Most people listed their job title first; Jerry's first three entries were grandfather, father and husband. He loved us with his whole being and took delight in sharing stories about us all.
At the time of his transition from this physical world, Jerry was survived by his mother, Pearl Murphy McTee, and her husband, Tommy McTee (both of whom have since left this physical world). Left to continue his legacy of love and service to others are his daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Shawn McCune; grandchildren, Justen McCune, Justin Murphy and Brittany McCune; brother, Larry Murphy; sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Barry Freeman; brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Pam Murphy. He dearly loved all his family and friends and had the opportunity to be an important part of many of their lives, and they his. You know who you are.
And then there's me. I was blessed beyond words to be his wife in this physical world for 21 years, 4 months and 28 days. He will be my husband for eternity.