Rodney Glen Murphy

Aug. 10, 1931 - Aug. 21, 2016

Date of Service: Aug. 29, 2016

Rodney Glen Murphy

BURLEY – Rodney Glen Murphy, age 85, of Burley and Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away August 21, 2016, at his home in Arizona, with his family by his side.

He was born in Bertha, Minnesota on August 10, 1931, to Clinton A. And Vivian Bentz Murphy. He lived in Clarissa, Minn., until he joined the United States Air Force in 1950. He served in the Air Force for 14 years during the Vietnam War.

While stationed at Hill Air Force Base located in Roy, Utah, he met the love of his life, Rawnie K. Tillotson. They were married on July 1, 1956, and together they had four children, Virginia Murphy Morland (Ted) of Westminster, Colo., Jim Lloyd Murphy (deceased), (Kathy Murphy Hall) of Rupert, Idaho, Mark Murphy of Taylorsville, Utah, and Henry Murphy (Francis) of Surprise, Ariz.

After 14 years in the service, Rodney received an honorable discharge in 1964, and then moved to Idaho Falls to join his father, Clinton Murphy and his brothers, L. Wayne Murphy (Sharon) and Allen Murphy (Dixie) in the family business named CAL Stores. Rodney and family moved to Burley, Idaho in 1967 to oversee the Burley Store.

Rodney was a member of the Lions and a member of the Burley Elks Club for 55 years. He became the Exalted Ruler in 1981, and became a State President in 1987 -1988. Rodney was also on the Board of Directors for the Elks Rehab Hospital in Boise from 1988 through 1995.
Rodney really enjoyed his sports. He loved hunting, fishing, golf, and baseball. He was an avid baseball fan and loved to play when he was a young man. He was an umpire while he lived in Ogden and never passed up a chance to see a good game, either live or on the television. He really loved the hunting and fishing that Idaho has to offer. He also enjoyed the many fishing trips to Canada and Alaska. He would golf just about anywhere he could.

CAL Stores was sold in 1989, after which Rodney retired. At this time he became a true snowbird and has lived in Scottsdale, Ariz. for the past 26 winters.

Rodney is survived by his loving wife Rawnie; one daughter, Virginia Morland; two sons; Mark Murphy and Henry Murphy; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren (grandchildren listed by family): Virginia Morland: Jennifer, Jeremy, Josh, Jerrica, Jordan (deceased) Jedadiah, and Janell; Jim Murphy (deceased): Bobbi Joe, James “Zack”, Tabatha, Jimmy, and Olive; Mark Murphy: Jamie, Kristi, and Ellie; and Henry Murphy: Trinity, and Jaycee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mona Murphy Wheeler; brother, Calvin Murphy; brother-in-law, Jim Wheeler; son, Jim Lloyd Murphy; and grandson, Jordan Morland.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at the Burley LDS 2nd and 4th Ward Church, 515 E. 16th St., in Burley, with Bishop Adam Haynes officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley. Rodney will be honored with Elks rites and with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday, preceding the service at the church.