1934
Lewis "Tom"
2017
Lewis "Tom" Thomas Murphy
June 21, 1934 — October 7, 2017
The Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory announces Funeral Services for Mr. Lewis Thomas Murphy, Jr. who passed away on October 7, 2017.
Born June 21, 1934 in Griffin, GA to Lewis and Lillian Murphy, "Tom" was the oldest brother of 2 surviving sisters, Mary Ann Macie and Carol Walraven. After graduating from Griffin High School, he earned his Industrial Management degree from Georgia Tech in 1957. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army after college, and he was stationed overseas in Turkey. After returning, his first job was with Ford Motor Co. in Canton, OH, where he met Sonia, his wife of 57 years. They moved back to Georgia to work in Rome and worked for Georgia Tech in industrial development, which became his career path in various places in the state including: Augusta, Macon/Bibb Co.,Atlanta/Dekalb Co.,and back home to Griffin/Spaulding Co. He was well connected throughout the state in economic development, and in 1983 would rise to achieve the position of President of GEDA (GA Economic Development Authority). He would eventually come in 1994 to Blairsville/ Union Co. as the executive director of the Development Authority of Union County. He retired at the age of 72, but then started a business called Home Minders in Blairsville looking after people's second homes in North GA.
He and Sonia have 3 surviving sons who are all married, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Oldest son, Scott and his wife Caroline live in Marietta, GA and have 3 grown children who are married, and 2 grandchildren. Middle son, Bill and his wife Jeannie live in Lawrenceville, GA and have 3 grown children with 2 at the U.S. Naval Academy. Youngest son, Stephen and his wife Jennifer live in Blairsville, GA and have 5 children in school.
He was a charter member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Blairsville, and served in Leadership as an elder. He was also a Gideon for over 25 years and enjoyed speaking at many churches in North Georgia on behalf of the Gideon Ministry. He was a Rotary member most of his professional life.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 21 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Blairsville. A reception will follow. Interment with Military Honors will be held on Friday at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund at Grace Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 105, Blairsville, GA 30514 or Gideons International at P.O. Box 521, Blairsville, GA 30514.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory of Blairsville.
Born June 21, 1934 in Griffin, GA to Lewis and Lillian Murphy, "Tom" was the oldest brother of 2 surviving sisters, Mary Ann Macie and Carol Walraven. After graduating from Griffin High School, he earned his Industrial Management degree from Georgia Tech in 1957. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army after college, and he was stationed overseas in Turkey. After returning, his first job was with Ford Motor Co. in Canton, OH, where he met Sonia, his wife of 57 years. They moved back to Georgia to work in Rome and worked for Georgia Tech in industrial development, which became his career path in various places in the state including: Augusta, Macon/Bibb Co.,Atlanta/Dekalb Co.,and back home to Griffin/Spaulding Co. He was well connected throughout the state in economic development, and in 1983 would rise to achieve the position of President of GEDA (GA Economic Development Authority). He would eventually come in 1994 to Blairsville/ Union Co. as the executive director of the Development Authority of Union County. He retired at the age of 72, but then started a business called Home Minders in Blairsville looking after people's second homes in North GA.
He and Sonia have 3 surviving sons who are all married, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Oldest son, Scott and his wife Caroline live in Marietta, GA and have 3 grown children who are married, and 2 grandchildren. Middle son, Bill and his wife Jeannie live in Lawrenceville, GA and have 3 grown children with 2 at the U.S. Naval Academy. Youngest son, Stephen and his wife Jennifer live in Blairsville, GA and have 5 children in school.
He was a charter member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Blairsville, and served in Leadership as an elder. He was also a Gideon for over 25 years and enjoyed speaking at many churches in North Georgia on behalf of the Gideon Ministry. He was a Rotary member most of his professional life.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 21 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Blairsville. A reception will follow. Interment with Military Honors will be held on Friday at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund at Grace Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 105, Blairsville, GA 30514 or Gideons International at P.O. Box 521, Blairsville, GA 30514.
Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home & Crematory of Blairsville.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lewis "Tom" Thomas Murphy, please visit our flower store.
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