LOUISBURG--George Herman Murphy, Jr., 83, of Louisburg passed away suddenly on Monday, March 21, 2016 in his home. Born on July 22, 1932 to the late George Herman and Naomi Underhill Murphy, George left Franklin County in 1950 for Wake Forest College, where he would enroll for only a semester before leaving to serve his country in the United States Navy. George served the military as a submarine chef, stationing in San Diego, CA; Charleston, SC and Providence RI. He met Jerry in Berkeley, CA on a blind date on October 16, 1952 and married her on December 19, 1952. They celebrated 63 years of marriage in 2015. After honorable discharge from the military in 1961, George returned to Franklin County with his wife and children, and would go on to own and operate The Murphy House restaurant and distribution center until he retired at the age of 55.

In addition to entrepreneurship, George was an avid outdoorsman, loving to hunt quail and fly fish for bream on Moore's Pond, where he acted as president for decades. George was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his son, David Brian Murphy and grandson, David Glenn Gardner.

Funeral services will be private.

He is survived by his wife, Jerry Horner Murphy; his children, Lorene Murphy King (Alvin), Michael Murphy, Margaret Murphy Avent (Jack); his grandchildren, Renee Powers (Samuel). David King, Hunter Murphy (Maria), Mason Rizzo (Ashlee) and Holden Gardner; his adopted daughter, Sandi Reed (Tommy) and his adopted grandson, Jim Waldrop; his great grandchildren, Samuel Powers, Jr., Blake Powers, Alina Murphy, Naomi Powers and Lunna Murphy; his sisters, Mary Helen Kuhn, Winnie Sledge and Frances Warren.

Arrangements are being handled by Lancaster Funeral and Cremation Services, 804 N. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, N. C. 27549. Online condolences may be made to www.lancasterfcs.com.

Paid obituary