Christopher Douglas “Fred” Murphy ’55

Christopher Douglas “Fred” Murphy ’55 went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 25 at Robin Johnson House in Dallas, N.C. He was born July 23, 1927, in Buncombe County, N.C., the son of the late Claude Vincent and Dorcas Moore Ingle Murphy. Murphy grew up in Gaston County and served in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II. He graduated from Belmont Abbey Jr. College, Davidson, and Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. In the late 1940s, Murphy and brothers, Dewey and John, played bluegrass music professionally as “The Blue River Boys,” with daily broadcasts on radio station WPAQ in Mt. Airy. In 1953 he married Anne Janet McKelvie of Kings Mountain, and was ordained to the gospel ministry in the Presbyterian Church U.S. He served a parish in Virginia, East Belmont Presbyterian Church in Belmont, Central Steele Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, and Grace and New Cut Presbyterian Churches in Lancaster, S.C. In 1970 he served as evangelist with the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship. Later he served Hazelwood Presbyterian Church in Haywood County, and Westview Presbyterian Church in Mt. Holly. In 1993 he served as assistant pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Stanley. Murphy is survived by wife, Louise Robinette Thomas, 196 Lariat Dr., Lincolnton, NC 28092-6502; children, Ruth Anne Murphy, Mary M. Webster (John), Christopher David Murphy (Ginger), Martha M. Reavis (Eddie), and Rebekah M. Curtis (John); grandchildren, Christina, Jacob, and Robbie Curtis and Ian Webster; brothers, John P. (Nina), Rev. Dewey D. (Nellie), and Carl L. (Brenda); and sister, Ruth M. Benoy (Richard G.). Preceded in death by his parents; loving first wife of 43 years, Anne Janet McKelvie Murphy; brothers, Thomas F. (who died in combat in Italy during WWII), Hughes, Albert, and Jack Murphy; and infant grandson, Landon Matthew Murphy.