FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Patrick “Pat” Michael Murphy
03/16/1948 — 12/31/2014
From Richland, WA | Born in Prosser, WA
Patrick “Pat” Michael Murphy
Patrick “Pat” Michael Murphy was born on March 16th
1948 in Prosser, Washington to Robert “Cyril” and Agnes Murphy. He passed away
in Boston, Massachusetts on December 31st, 2014. He was the eldest
of four children and the cornerstone of our family. Pat never met a stranger in
his life, and had close friends all over the country. Pat was a devoted father,
and was always available for anything and everything that his children needed.
He was also a devoted friend to everyone that he was close to and was available
day or night to help. As everyone who knew him knows, he was a talker. We all
just waited for him to take a breath to get a word in edgewise. Pat came into
this world as a fighter and left this world as a fighter.
Pat loved baseball and played American Legion baseball as a child. Pat’s biggest passion became all things mechanical. His true passion was drag racing, first as a driver, then as a crew chief. He ensured that grandma had the fastest (and we mean fastest) 1959 Ford in the Tri-Cities (which never got beat…regardless of who was driving).
After serving in the Army in Germany and Vietnam, Pat
returned to the Tri-Cities. Ever the prankster, on April 1, 1971, Pat married
Kathy Brokaw and together they had two children, Colleen and Michael. Pat continued to perfect his automotive
skills and added welding to the mix, becoming a journeyman electrician. Pat ran an automotive shop in Richland for
many years. After leaving the shop, he went to work for Bechtel aiding in
Hurricane Katrina relief before moving on to The Industrial Company as a
Quality Control Manager.
Pat leaves his daughter Colleen Heidcamp (Matt), son Michael
Murphy, and his beloved granddaughter Kaylinn (the apple of his eye), who
thought he hung the moon. He also leaves
two sisters Mary Murphy-Johnson (Kent), Eileen Murphy-Fitch (West Richland),
brother Rob Murphy (Nampa, Idaho) and girlfriend of 16 years Bobbie
Zavala. Pat was preceded in death by his
parents, Robert and Agnes Murphy, and our beloved Aunt Rita Murphy. Rest now Pat and be at peace. Pat began each phone call with HEY….not hello
or even hi. So, dad, bro, papa, please
say “hey” to those who have gone before you and ”hey” when we meet again.
Viewing will be from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Einan’s Chapel on Thursday January 8, 2015, and services will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the Einan’s Event Center on January 9, 2015 with graveside service immediately to follow. A reception will follow the service in the Einan’s Event Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat’s memory to the Vietnam Veterans of Washington, the Wounded Warrior Project of Washington or the American Heart Association.
We have known Pat for over 50 years, but we really got close when Pat was working at Hanford. Pat worked swing-shift & he would stop by the machine shop everyday on his way to work. We would discuss everything from baseball to politics and everything in between. Pat was one of the smartest people I have ever known. I really believe he would have been one of the best school board members Richland ever had. The world has lost one of the good ones! Rest in peace. Your friends John & Gail
Always a friend.
Pat was a good friend of my wife and I, even thought we didnt see Pat for years at a time.
You see I met my wife in 1966 and it was because Pat knew and liked everybody and everybody knew and liked Pat.
May the LORD bless and keep you Patrick.
Cathy and Rick
I was very sorry to here about Pats passing. I met Pat back in the 80’s but had heard of Murphys reputation as a mechanical wizard for several years before we met while I worked as a machinist at Poynors. Murphy was great for helping out with problems that most couldnt solve or a telling a great story which sometimes seamed to have no ending. It was always good to see Pat come through the shop door with that signature smile of his hid behind that big bushy mustache he always sported. He will be greatly missed.
We have not seem Pat in many years. When we were young we spent many fun days with Pat and Cathy. A few months back we ran into Cathy at Costco and she told us about Pat’s health. Still reading about his passing in the paper upset us. Our prayers go out to the family. He will truly be missed. Rest in piece Pat.
“Hey” Pat, rest in peace. Vividly remember when we first met at a Drag Race in Texas North of Dallas in 1984. I was amazed that I had lived in the Tri-Cities in 1982 and 1983, raced at Renegade in Yakima and yet it’s at a race in TX where we meet. We were both at South TX Nuclear Project Bay City TX, you as a Electrician Welder and myself a Contracts Administrator. Had a lot of fun working together, you were always the prankster, never a dull moment when we met out on the jobsite. I will always be great full for everything you did for me all those years, especially helping me rebuild the Blazer in your shop in Richland. My biggest regret is not telling you how much you were loved by our family. Rest in Peace My Friend.
Dean and Joy Shank
I only met Pat a short time ago in Ipswich, MA but we quickly developed a friendship. Pat was staying at the same hotel and I saw him at my employers during the day. We struck up a conversation after work one day and soon became friends.
Pat was kind enough to mentor me with his vast years of knowledge in the power industry in the short time we knew each other. I will miss him on my next trip to Ipswich.
Pat, Rest in Peace
We were very saddened to hear of Pats passing. I have known Murph since 1978. He had his auto repair shop in north richland, and I was all of 17. We met at the old Auto Supply in the uptown in richland. He was always a racer who was crew chief for Bonnie and Clyde’s alcohol dragster out of Yakima. As it came to be, he built my one and only hot rod with me in the early 90’s. I learned a lot from murph and was able to move on to my daughters jr. Dragster that we built. He will be surely missed by all that new him ….HEY!!! Peace to him and his family.
Pat, you’re gone too soon! You were so much fun at Chief Jo and RHS – so glad we were friends, we had a good time harassing teachers and just goofing around. We lost touch about 20 years ago – sure wish we hadn’t.
To his family I offer my deepest condolences and pray God’s tender mercies to be with you at this difficult time. He was a good man and a friend to all. I’m sure he’ll be watching over you until you meet again.
One of a kind for sure!!
Pat,
I lost my little brother in Oct 2008.
Now I have lost my big brother.
I will miss you, Bird.
Love You Murph.
I know you are happy now,
up there with your parents, Rita,
Bubby and Deet.
Please keep an eye on the rest of us.
Your favorite Guppy!
I am still in shock to learn of Pat’s passing. We were close friends in High School but grew out of touch afterward. I will always cherish the fond memories of our times together. Pat was truly a good man with a good heart. He will be forever missed. God Bless You Pat!!
I have lots of memories from grade school. My prayers are with you.
God Bless Pat. Rest in eternal peace.
Pat and I weren’t really close in our younger years, but we did share a keen interest in fast cars. I always considered Pat to be a very stand-up guy who would go the extra mile for you if you needed it. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.
Pat was my schoolmate all through the 8 years we were at Christ the King School and then at Columbia High (now Richland High). It is very sad to hear of his passing.
Pat you were one of a kind. Seeing you pull up in front poynors after you got off work giving us some form of harassment and seeing your big smile was one of the good things in life that I found to be genuine. I’ll say this I am proud to have meant you. You will be missed. Sr.
Guestbook for
Patrick “Pat” Michael Murphy