Wayne "Murph" Murphy
February 21, 1952 ~ December 17, 2022
Wayne “Murph” Murphy, 70, born February 21, 1952, in Elgin, Illinois, died December 17, 2022, in Wichita, KS. Wayne earned a scholarship after graduating high school to Wichita Drafting College and worked as a Technical Illustrator at Beechcraft for 41 years. Murph excelled at both pencil and paper drawings and easily transitioned to computer-aided renderings. Son of Eloris Jean Cummings and Robert W. Murphy, Wayne served in the U.S. Army during the latter years of the Vietnam War as a Military Police officer, stationed primarily in Nuremberg, Germany.
On September 13, 1980, Wayne married the love of his life, Linda Cowan, immediately and enthusiastically accepting the challenge of raising four young children, each of whom he continued to support, mentor, and love throughout his life. Wayne raced cars in SCCA, piloted some of the airplanes that he drew, played competitive pool, and later, enjoyed frequent rounds of golf with friends, typically teeing off before the morning light.
He supported his kids in school and athletic activities, helped build Pinewood Derby cars, organized family fishing trips, and repaired vehicles for all of the family, among multitudes of notable acts. Wayne took great joy in being named Papa to his growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing, loving, and supporting them all. Wayne and Linda were able to travel and enjoy retired life with their animals, friends, and family. Wayne embodied strength, kindness, and compassion - characteristics emphasized in stories being told by those who knew and loved him deeply.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Linda Murphy, and their children: Tonya (Steve) Witherspoon, Kimberly Dye, Chad (Lindsay) Cowan, Scott Cowan, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Wayne’s Life will be held on Monday, January 2, 11:00 am at Downing & Lahey West, 10515 W Maple St, Wichita, KS 67209. A memorial has been established with the Kansas Food Bank. You may donate online to the Wayne Murphy Memorial www.bit.ly/KSMurphy or mail a check to the Kansas Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67211 for the Wayne Murphy Memorial.
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Rest Wayne, until you hear at dawn, the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation. U.S. Army, Vietnam Era.
Our family had a great man taken from us way to early. Wayne was a great man, great provider for his family and great friend. Had many a good trip with him and Linda and we always had lots of good laughs. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Murph was, and always will be, the closest friend that I served with in the Army. We had a lot a great times while we were in Germany. Every weekend I was off, I spent with him in Nuremberg and we always stayed in touch after we got out. I visited him several times in Kansas and he came to Ohio to meet my family. I am extremely proud to call him my friend.
Our thoughts and prayers on the passing of a truly gifted man and family man. May the memories that linger be those of joy and laughter.
Linda, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Wayne was such a fun person. I enjoyed hanging out with you two, along with mom and daddy Jim. Remembering good times and sending my deepest sympathies to you and the kids.
I knew Wayne as a Beech coworker and as a golfing buddy. Wayne had many interests, but he especially loved golf. He was a member of the Tech Pubs golf league for many years. He was also part of a group that started at sunrise (or even before sunrise) usually twice a week for the last 20 years. The group originally played at Echo Hills (it closed), then WSU (it closed) and most recently at Sim Park.
Wayne was the most avid player in the group. You knew that he would be there regardless of the weather. On some occasions, he brought along family members who were visiting from out of town out to play. He had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor that made it a joy to enjoy a round of golf with him.
Wayne was a true friend, who will be greatly missed.
Ralph Torelli
Condolences to the family. I’ll miss seeing Wayne on the golf course and sometimes playing with Wayne and Bob at Sim Park.
-Rob Johnson