Keith Rolland Murphy

Keith Rolland Murphy, age 86, of La Grande, died June 20, 2013 at a local care facility. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande. Private interment will be at the Island City Cemetery.

Keith was born on July 26, 1926, the son of Alvah W. and Flossie E. (Rollins) Murphy in Cove, Oregon. He attended Cove High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for six years before his honorable discharge. He returned to Union County and worked for MJ Goss Motors, then for Turns (Zimmerman's) Furniture Store before going to work for the La Grande School District in the Maintenance Department. On April 3, 1957 he married Evelyn Fitzgerald in Salem. They attended the First Christian Church and enjoyed square dancing. He loved wood working and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a collector of knives and stamps and adored his Yorkie dogs.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn of La Grande; children, Chuck Bafford of Hermiston, Diana Loe of La Grande, Linda Howell of Boise and Marian Murphy of Texas; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Murphy.

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