Thomas Murphy

Thomas Michael Murphy, 79, passed away at home on Monday, January 14, 2013, from congestive heart failure. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, Iowa, with burial to follow at the Altoona Cemetery, Altoona, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Lutheran Church of the Cross on Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

Tom was born July 20, 1933, in Melrose, Iowa, the son of John P. and Elizabeth H. Murphy. He attended school in Melrose until his senior year and then graduated from Melcher High School in Melcher, Iowa, while living with his uncle, Martin B. Murphy. Tom began working as a tire builder at Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Des Moines, Iowa, the night he graduated from high school. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1955 to May of 1957, then returned to Firestone until his stroke caused him to retire in May 1982. In earlier years, Tom was very active in the community and was Commander of the Altoona American Legion, a member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross, enjoyed wintering in Arizona, and loved eating and playing cards with his many friends.

Tom was joined in marriage on June 1, 1957, to his wife, Phyllis, and to this union two daughters, Cindy and Kathy, were born. Tom and Phyllis moved to Altoona on January 17, 1959, in the same home they reside now. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his daughter, Cindy (Mike) Fick of Mitchellville; grandson, Evan, of Denver, Colorado; granddaughter, Carrie, of Ames; his daughter, Kathy (Chris) Abbott of Chandler, Arizona; two brothers, Patrick (Kathy) Murphy of Altoona and Stephen (Rosie) Murphy of Newton; one sister, Madelyn Murphy of Des Moines; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, John.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast Polk Dollars for Scholars in his name for a student pursuing a career in nursing, or to the Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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