Murphy, Eugene Leon 1954 - 2023
MURPHY, BIGLEY, DAYWITT
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:20
Gene L. Murphy, 68, of Iowa City, IA, formerly of Elma, IA, died on June 14, 2023 at his home of natural causes.
Eugene “Gene” Leon Murphy was born on October 28, 1954, to Don and Gertrude Eileen (Bigley) Murphy, in the Riceville, Iowa hospital. He grew up on the family farm a mile south of Acme, or six miles north of Elma, as the second son in a family of five boys. He attended grade school in the country school and Elma IC, and high school at Cresco Notre Dame, graduating with the class of 1972. He double-majored in Journalism and History at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
Gene worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for The Oskaloosa Herald and The Burlington Hawk Eye. After moving to Iowa City in 2009, he worked a season at Yellowstone National Park. He loved the grand scale of the mountains and was excited to be in the middle of them. He worked at MCI Mass Marketing in Iowa City for 12 years, answering calls for many nationwide marketing programs. He was well liked and is sorely missed by his friends and workmates.
Gene always had a great interest in politics and worked for several political campaigns, including work as a national staffer on Gary Hart’s presidential campaign in 1984. He traveled throughout Pennsylvania, Texas, and California ending at the national convention. While watching a Hart speech from a doorway, two late arrivals came up behind him. He turned around and was face to face with Robert Redford and Warren Beatty.
He was a huge fan of Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, and The Beatles. He admired the artist Andrew Wyeth and the author Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird). His knowledge of movies, books, and the arts made him a great Jeopardy player.
Gene enjoyed the Iowa City arts and Writer’s Workshop, and lived within walking distance to the downtown area, part of his plan when moving to the city. He was always a writer at heart and wrote many stories about growing up. He was writing his autobiography at the time of his death.
Gene is survived by his brothers Jim (Sheila) of Cresco, Greg (Jean Daywitt) of Decorah, Doug (Sue) of Cresco and Tom of Minneapolis. Nieces and nephews are Paul (Danea) of Cresco, Sarah of Waukee, Stephen of Germany, Paige of Decorah, Mitchell (Kenzie) of Decorah, Chase (Kelsey) of Cedar Falls and Davis of Decorah. Great nieces and nephew are Jaxon, Cate and Macie of Cresco, Isla and Ruth of Decorah, and a new girl soon of Cedar Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents Eileen in 2003 and Don in 2006.
Visitation will be held at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 10-12 p.m. followed by a memorial service at noon. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Elma, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family at 3256 Pole Line Rd Cresco, IA 52136.
Source: Hindt Funeral Home database
Calvary Elma Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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