Richard Frank Murphy, 87, Ozark, passed away May 20, 2010, in Ozark. He was born Aug. 1, 1922, in Springfield, to Roland and Edna Murphy. Richard was united in marriage to Mary Kathryn Welch on June 28, 1942, at Central Christian Church by Reverend Oral Michaels.
Richard served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II from October 1942 to October 1945. He spent 33 months in the South Pacific campaigns of Bougainville, Emirau, Guam and Okinawa.
He retired from the Springfield Dr. Pepper Bottling Company as sales manager in 1984. His father, Roland E. Murphy was co-owner of Springfield Dr. Pepper until his retirement in 1952. His grandfather was owner of Star Bottling Company in Springfield during the 1920s. Richard owned the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company in West Plains from 1952 to 1958. He liked to hunt and fish and he loved Dr. Pepper. He drank it daily until his passing.
Richard is survived by his wife, Mary K. Murphy; two sons, Richard L. Murphy, Seabrook, Texas and Bill Murphy, and wife Lisa, Ozark; a daughter, Cathryn L. Gearing and husband, Ted, Lindenlure; seven grandchildren, Richard R. Murphy, Andrew Murphy, Christopher Murphy, Michelle Murphy, Jenna Murphy, Brandon Snider and wife Jennifer, and Byron Snider and wife Kara; five great-grandchildren, Dresden Murphy, Lexi Snider, Kasi Snider, Lukas Snider and Olivia Snider; and a sister-in-law, Kathleen Welch, Springfield.
Richard was an active member of the Ozark Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. May 24, in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Rev. David Massey-Brown officiating.
The family thanks Seasons Hospice for their help in time of need.
In lieu of flowers, friends may remember Richard by a gift to the Operation Half Pint, in care of Ozark Christian Church, 1200 East McCracken Road, Ozark, 65721, or Seasons Hospice, 1831 W. Melville Road, Springfield, 65803.
