Michael J. Murphy

OVANDO – Michael John Murphy passed away June 16, 2013, in a car accident while traveling on Highway 200 near Nine Mile Prairie Road.

Mike was born Aug. 4, 1953, in Missoula to Ann and Harold Murphy of Ovando. Mike was the middle child in a family of three boys.

He grew up in Ovando on the Murphy Ranch where the family tradition of ranching and outfitting in the Bob Marshall paved the way for most the rest of his life.

Mike graduated high school at Seeley-Swan High School then went on to join the Army where he was stationed in Fort Riley, Kan.

After returning to Montana from the Army, Mike went on to work in outfitting, logging and ranching. Mike loved working outdoors and would have never traded it for the world.

Mike was a very active member of his church and had a very strong faith in Jesus.

Joseph W. Murphy was Mike's only child, born in 1981. Mike very much loved his son and tried teaching him most of his knowledge of the outdoors. Mike brought his son up alongside him in the outdoors and had him in the wilderness as young as a toddler. He spent what time they had together riding horses, hunting and fishing.

Mike broke his back in a logging accident in the early '90s, putting somewhat of a damper on his outdoor career. While Mike did not go back to logging he did continue to work as a hunting guide and a ranch hand. When Mike's injuries finally rendered him disabled he pursued college. Mike attended the University of Montana in Missoula and the University of Montana, Western in Dillon and earned nearly 300 credits mostly geared toward forestry. Mike then went on to attend The Rocky Mountain Bible Mission in Lolo.

Mike was in Las Vegas on a road trip with his son in May when he learned that he was going to be grandfather. He was so elated that he could hardly contain himself. Mike wanted to be a grandfather badly and was so proud that he was finally going to be one. He wanted to rush home so that Joe could be with Nicole.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Harold Murphy; his mother, Anna Murphy Angello; his stepfather, Alfonso Angello, and his older brother, Paul Murphy.

He is survived by his son, Joseph and his fiance Nicole and their unborn child; his younger brother, Gordon, his wife Angela and his six children, Joseph Cody, Chance, Cody Lee, Kyani Dee, Shy Ann and Tyana; and his niece Melissa.

Services will be held at the Potomac Bible Church at 3 p.m. on July 27 with a reception to follow

Read Michael Murphy's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.