Dr. Terry Warinner Murphy

Dr. Terry Warinner Murphy completed his Circle of Life on Jan. 21, 2024, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center after a heart attack Jan. 13 in Ames, IA.

Terry was a bucket-list guy, so his spirit still had things to do in 2024. He went through the donor program for organs/bone/tissue Jan. 21-22, followed by his cremation at Hamilton’s Funeral Home and Crematory on Jan. 25. His request of “No funeral, an Irish Wake!” led to two Irish Wakes, March 15 and June 8, to celebrate the man, the myth, the legend. He was among honorees at Hamilton’s Memoriam Tribute at Blank Park Zoo on Sept. 13 and at Iowa Donor Network’s Candlelight Tribute on Nov.10.

Terry arrived just in time for lunch Sept. 15, 1954, in St. Louis, MO. The first child of E.C. “Pat” and Jacqulyn “Jackie” Murphy, Terry grew up in Little Rock, AR, and Ballwin, MO, graduating with honors from Parkway West High School. He graduated cum laude with a BA from Baylor University, earned his MD from UTMB Galveston, followed by an internal medicine residency at OU Health Science Center in OKC. He joined the staffs of Goodall-Witcher Hospital and Clifton Medical Clinic in Clifton, TX, and retired from the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in Prescott, AZ.

Terry wore many hats during his lifetime. Beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, husband, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, father, father-in-law, grandfather, friend, sidekick, classmate, Eagle Scout, frat brother, doctor, volunteer, arts patron, philanthropist, fur-baby dad. Literally, he often wore an Irish flat cap, ball cap, ski hat, bandana and, at times, a top hat, fedora, or “Gold Lamé CS” hat.

He went by Terry, but also answered to Dr. Murphy, Doc, Murf, Dad, Pappy, Uncle Tee-Hee, Terry Bird, T-Bird, Tico, TW, Uncle Terry, Taco Tico, Wee Irishman, Kewpie, Tiki, Sweetie.

Things that gave Terry peace? The outdoors, glorious sunsets, full moons, mountain vistas, the ocean, cruising lakes, smoking a Winston on the deck, music, monsoon rains, double rainbows, building his labyrinth, trail hiking with Shasta and Deuce, campfires, watching hawks and falcons soar, loving on Greebie and Honey, his faith.

Things that brought Terry joy? Caribbean vacays, family reunions, the many lifelong friends he made amongst the Clifton Wild Bunch, Phi Beta Raiders, PWHS ‘73ers, Baylor Frat Bros, Monday Lunch Bunch, Granite Creek Hunger Ministry, his medical colleagues and patients in TX, OK, and AZ. Heated car seats!

Things that Terry loved? Family, friends, being a doctor, being Irish, helping US veterans, adventure, golf, hiking, cooking, grilling, T’s Texas Trash, Crown & Coke, fajitas, The Mavericks, Chieftains, Allman Brothers, Highwaymen, ZZ Top, games, orchids, roof diving, Luau Parties, Sonny’s Place, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Cristea’s Salsa, cherry pie, T’s Bean Dip, Guinness, Gulf of Mexico, Van Morrison, Tom Petty, Bruce Hornsby, Dos Equis, T’s Baked Beans, skiing Colorado, camping, water skiing, scuba diving, rafting, swimming, Jackie’s Peanut Brittle and Nut Bread and Molasses Cookies, milk, Whoppers, Costa Rica, church softball, traveling, hosting St. Pat’s Parties and Cadaver Balls, the Grand Canyon, New Orleans, Italy, Torrey Pines, Lake Tahoe, Norton St. Philip, kissing the Blarney Stone, Las Vegas, cribbage, his recliner.

Unforgettable things about Terry? Stunning green eyes, winsome smile, cheeky personality, witty sarcasm, funny silliness, endearing humor, caring compassion, engaging playfulness, charming giggle, robust laugh, brilliant mind, keen insight, make-you-melt kisses, undeniable presence.

Terry is celebrated and greatly missed by his college sweetheart Karen, son Cason (Tiffany), grandsons Finnegan and Daschle, mom Jackie, brother Kevin (Linda), sister Shannon, and all members of the Clans of Murphy, Parkhill, Hubbard, Warinner, Cason, and Mikeska.

Sincere gratitude to the first responders, the Mary Greeley Medical Center Emergency Room team, the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Heart Center teams at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, the Iowa Donor Network team, the Hamilton’s Funeral Home and Crematory team, and all the beloved family and friends for the care, compassion, and support given for Terry and his family during that overwhelming week in January and the crazy year of 2024.

To honor Terry, sign up to give the Gift of Life, recruit others to become donors, make a contribution to the Iowa Donor Network or any state’s donor network.

A Terry Toast to all: Sláinte!

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