Clinton, MS
Funeral Home
Visitation
10-11 am, October 7, 2026, Clinton Methodist Church
Service
11 am, October 7, 2026, Clinton Methodist Church
Obituary
Look Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten.” In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service, which our military men and women have given to their country and our state, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard memorializing its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on September 26, 2026 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Chief Warrant Officer Four George Edward Murphy Jr., age 88, Clinton, MS, who served Commander of the 41st Army Band has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.
It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.
A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly, and live so freely.
You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.
Another great soldier has gone home—“Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life.”
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
George Edward Murphy Jr. was born December 14, 1937, to Agatha “Sunny” Taylor Murphy and George Edward Murphy. A longtime resident of Clinton, Mississippi, George lived a remarkable life defined by his love for family, music, service, and an enduring curiosity about the world around him.
George graduated from Jackson Central High School in 1955 and Mississippi State University in 1959. He remained a devoted Mississippi State Bulldog throughout his life and loved just about everything associated with his alma mater.
Music was also a lifelong passion. An accomplished trumpet player, George was a member of Mississippi State’s Famous Maroon Band and continued playing for decades with numerous musical groups, including the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Jackson Municipal Band, Mississippi Community Symphonic Band, Mississippi Swing, First United Methodist Church of Clinton Orchestra, Clinton Jazz, and the Mississippi Baptist Symphony Orchestra. His trumpet took him from local stages to memorable performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the parade grounds of Fort Bliss, Texas.
George proudly served his country, first in the United States Air Force and later in the Mississippi Army National Guard, where he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer and Commander/Director of the 41st Army Band.
He was equally dedicated to his community. He was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church, now Clinton Methodist Church. George was also a 32nd Degree Mason and active member of the Wahabi Shriners. Over the years, he held numerous leadership positions within the organization, including serving as president of the Clinton Shrine Club, president of the Shrine Band twice, Past Captain of the Wahabi Drum Corps, Past Chief Aide to the Potentate, and Past Director of Court 143, Royal Order of Jesters.
Professionally, George enjoyed a distinguished career in the insurance industry. He served as president of the Jackson Claims Managers Council and chairman of the Jackson Intercompany Arbitration Committee. He was one of six industry representatives who worked with the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission to establish the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Fee Schedule and later served in additional advisory and leadership roles with the Commission. He retired as Operations Manager for Preferred Works after many years in claims management with local and national companies.
George had a lifelong love of learning. An avid reader and licensed pilot, he was fascinated by aviation and had a particular interest in the aircraft and history of World War II. And, of course, there was always his trumpet and his beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs.
But for all his accomplishments and interests, nothing meant more to George than his family—especially his wife, Glenda Baker Murphy, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. If you talked with George for any length of time, chances are you would hear the story of how he met Glenda. He never grew tired of telling people how much he loved her. And if you were lucky, he might even pull out a favorite photograph of Glenda from her teenage years in a bathing suit—a picture he was still proud to show off all these years later. His love and admiration for her remained a constant throughout their life together.
George is survived by his beloved wife, Glenda; his children, Cindy Murphy Tauchar (Paul) and Michael Murphy (Tyra); his grandchildren, Daxton Murphy, Emily Horton, Murphy Brantley, Michael Tauchar, and Anna Catherine Tauchar; and five great-grandchildren.
To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was affectionately known as “Grumpy,” a name given with love and one that became a treasured part of who he was to his family.
George leaves behind an extraordinary collection of stories, songs, friendships, accomplishments, and memories. His was a life filled with music, service, books, airplanes, Bulldog pride, and, above all, a deep and abiding love for his family. Those who knew him will remember the trumpet player, soldier, pilot, Shriner, storyteller, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—but to those closest to him, he will always be their beloved Grumpy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Clinton Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 7th. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the service following at 11:00 a.m. in the Clinton Methodist Church Sanctuary.
May God surround the Murphy Family with His love, comfort, strength, and peace during this difficult time.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.”
–Isaiah 41:10