Dr. Joseph R. Murphy, a former resident of Provo, Utah, died Wednesday, June 17, 1992 in Orange, California at the age of 67.
He was born June 14, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Albert and Juanita Robison Murphy. He married Loneta Mangus on November 27, 1946 in Salt Lake City, and they were later divorced. He married Marlene Menlove June 15, 1990 at Teton Nat'l Park, Jackson, Wyoming.Reared and educated in Long Beach, California where he graduated from Polytechnic High School, Dr. Murphy then served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received additional education: B.A. (with Honors) Brigham Young University; M.A. Brigham Young University; Ph.D. University of Nebraska. He received many academic honors and traveled extensively as a specialist and lecturer on birds of prey. He was well known and respected in the scientific community as a world expert on the North American Bald Eagle. Dr. Murphy was employed as a Professor of Zoology at University of Nebraska, and at Brigham Young University. He served as a seasonal Park Naturalist for 20 summers in Yellowstone and Teton Nat'l parks for the U. S. Nat'l Park Service.
Surviving family members include his wife, Marlene, Yorba Linda, Calif.; four sons, one daughter, three step-children: Joel Muprhy and wife Sharon, Pleasant Grove; Gayle Cornaby and husband Kaye, Orem; Robert Murphy and wife Dawn, Provo; David Murphy, Van Nuys, Calif.; Philip Murphy and wife Miriam, Orem; Douglas DeTavis and wife Janice, Anaheim Hills, Calif.; Michele Lang and husband Steve, Placentia, Calif.; and Mike DeTavis, Yorba Linda, Calif. Also his mother, Juanita Murphy, St. George; sister, Rebecca Sutton, Long Beach, Calif.; and brother, Don Murphy, Ogden; and 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a younger brother, Robert.
Graveside services will be held at the Santa Clara Cemetery, St. George, Utah, June 22, 1992. Memorial services will be held for family, friends and colleagues on Wednesday, June 24, 1992, at 7:00 p.m., at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum on the Campus of Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. IN lieu of flowers, gift contributions may be made to: Grand Teton Natural History Assoc., Drawer 170-B, Moose, Wyo. 83012, or M. Bean Life Science Museum, BYU, Provo, Ut. 84602
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