Date of death: 1/23/21
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1965
The Reverend James Wayne Murphy, 81, died January 23, 2021 after a long illness. He was born July 22, 1939 in Louisville to William and Vita Ritz Murphy. Father attended school at St. Aloysius (Pewee Valley), and both St. Thomas and St. Meinrad Seminaries and was ordained into the priesthood May 8, 1965 at the Cathedral of the Assumption by Archbishop Floresh.
He served at Mother of Good Council, St. Barnabas, Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Augustine (Lebanon), St. Stephen Martyr, St. Denis, Guardian Angels and St. Thomas More Parishes before retiring in June 2004. Father also served two terms as President of the Catholic School Athletic Association.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his siblings, Sister Mary Amelia Murphy, RSM, and Ronald C. Murphy, as well as sisters-in-law Claudette Murphy and Carole Murphy and a brother-in-law, James Heslin.
Survivors include two brothers, William P. Murphy and Robert J. Murphy (Charlotte) and sisters Geraldine M. Heslin and Mary C. Laemmle (Dave). He also leaves behind fifteen nieces and nephews, his best friend Diana Meyer, and a host of good friends and former parishioners.