Terry Murphy

Terry Murphy , Fargo, ND, passed away in his home in the early morning hours of Monday, October 20th after an 18 month battle with lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Esta Irene Williams Murphy. He is survived by his brother, Mike Claudia Murphy , Newhall, CA; his sons Terry “Mike” fiancé Kathie Forrest Murphy , Omaha, NE, Scott Murphy , Omaha, NE, and Adam Torson, Los Angeles, CA; his grandchildren , Shawn, Cameron, Madison, Gavin, Aiden, Xander and Alaina, and his nieces, Lisa, Genesis, and Michelle.

Terry was born in Detroit, MI on May 1st, 1947. His childhood was unsettled as his mother died young and his small family moved with his father around the country in search of work. Nevertheless, in 1965 he graduated from William S. Hart High School in Newhall, CA, where he made many lifelong friends. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Airforce and was married to LaJuana Garn, with whom he had two sons, Mike and Scott. His first posting was to Bergstrom Airforce Base in Austin, TX, which was the Presidential support unit for Lyndon Johnson. His next tour of duty was also an eventful one, as he was stationed at Wheelus Airforce Base near Tripoli and witnessed the Libyan Revolution of 1969. Terry was honorably discharged from the military, and he and LaJuana later divorced. He worked for many years in the theme park industry around the western United States, and later in the sale of business opportunities. While general manager and Sheriff at the Ponderosa Ranch in Lake Tahoe, NV, he met Nancy Torson. They were married in 1980, and moved to the Fargo area where he would spend most of the next 34 years. They had a son, Adam, and though they later divorced Terry and Nancy remained close for the rest of his life. In his later years he worked as a real estate agent at Town & Country Realty, where he appreciated his many close friends and the opportunity to work with young people purchasing their first homes.

Terry will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his kindness and sense of humor. His connection to the Fargo community brought out the best in him; he was instrumental in helping to establish the Fargo Marathon, served on the board of the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm, was an active member of the North Dakota Association of Realtors, and supported in a variety of ways his good friends at Jasper’s Theater in Park Rapids. He was a staple at Adam’s sporting events and debate tournaments, and was extremely grateful to reconnect with Mike, Scott, and his grandchildren over the course of his last years. He was generous to a fault with his talents and treasures, and had a gift for making those around him feel loved. He expressed gratitude at the end of his life for his loving family and a lifetime full of laughter.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 25th at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Moorhead. Visitation will begin at 10:00am and the service will begin at 11:00am, with lunch to follow. Please direct any memorials to either the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm or Hospice of the Red River Valley.