Verlin Neil McMurphy

Funeral services for Verlin McMurphy will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Katie Hill officiating. Interment will follow in the Alva Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Verlin Neil McMurphy, son of the late Frank David and Beulah Mae (Lyon) McMurphy, was born November 14, 1933, 12 miles west of Alva on the family homestead and passed away surrounded by his family, May 14, 2023, at Alva, at the age of 89 years and 7 months. Verlin attended school at Farry and graduated in 1951. He then attended Northwestern State College before being drafted into the United States Army. After he was honorably discharged, he was united in marriage to Betty Louise James on May 17, 1959, at the First Baptist Church in Alva with Betty’s grandfather officiating. They made their home in Alva where they raised their children, Linda, Keith, and Lisa. Verlin joined his brother Darold in the plumbing business in 1958. They later added heating and air conditioning services to become McMurphy Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning. They retired from that business in 1998. He also began farming and ranching in 1969. He attended the United Methodist Church and was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the V.F.W. He served on the board of the Cherokee Strip Museum and held an office in the Woods County Mineral Owners. He and Betty were members of the Do Little Camping Club and enjoyed their travels with this group. Verlin also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Beulah; his brother, Darold McMurphy and his wife, Cleta Ann; his sister, Doris Lockhart and her husband, Jim; and a daughter-in-law, Monica McMurphy. Verlin is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; his children, Linda McMurphy of Alva, Keith McMurphy of Tuttle, Lisa McMurphy of Alva, and a chosen daughter, Mary Margaret Miller and husband, Todd, of Edmond; two grandchildren, Brooks McMurphy and Ashlinn of Tuttle, and Evan Nicole McMurphy of Yukon; twin great grandchildren, Claire Iva and Cooper Verlin McMurphy of Tuttle; three bonus granddaughters, and eight bonus great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Senior Citizen’s Center, the First United Methodist Church, the Cherokee Strip Museum, or the charity of your choice. Remembrances may be shared with the family at www.marshallfuneralhomes.com.

Verlin Neil McMurphy

November 14, 1933 - May 14, 2023