After 94 years in this world, John Marlin Murphy, Sr. passed on February 15, 2026, at his home in Flora, MS to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was a devout Catholic, dedicated to God, and a hardworking man committed to his family. He was a member of St. Richard's Catholic Church in Jackson, MS. In his final weeks he was surrounded by his loving family.
John was born to Joseph Patrick Murphy, Sr. and Louise Stubblefield Murphy in Yazoo City, Mississippi on January 11, 1932. In Yazoo City, he formed close bonds with cousins and other family members that lasted throughout his lifetime. He grew up as John Marlin; a name his sister and others from his childhood still call him today.
John Marlin's family relocated to the Belhaven neighborhood in Jackson, MS where he began second grade. Many of his summers were spent just North of Yazoo City at his uncle's property where he enjoyed fishing on the ponds. He discovered early that he had a talent for drawing. He kept an art pad close by and drew at every opportunity. He pursued his talent into adulthood and turned it into a successful career.
John was stationed in Germany while serving in the US Army, where he met and married Renate Anna Hain. He brought Renate and their first-born daughter back with him when he returned to the states in 1956. They settled in Jackson, MS and raised a son and three daughters. He was "D" to his family.
John, with Renate's help, used his carpentry skills to remodel their home. When not working, D spent his time at home with his family. He taught his wife and children to play chess. He enjoyed researching the Civil War, playing chess or cards with family and friends, carpentry, and playing pool. He loved to travel. D took his family on vacation to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Santa Rosa Island, FL and different state parks in Mississippi.
After raising the children, John and his wife traveled together in his Toyota van, tagged "DToy". Solitaire games on his computer and iPad filled his time as he grew older.
Renate Murphy was the love of John's life and his favorite person in the world. She kept him entertained for the sixty-three years they were married until her death in 2018. After Renate passed, D settled in a home near his daughter, Patricia. She, with help from her siblings and two wonderful caregivers took care of him in his final years.
John attended Central High School and graduated from St. Joseph High School in Jackson, MS. He graduated from St. Bernard Jr. College in Cullman, AL, before attending and graduating from the University of Alabama. John was an Army MP while stationed in Germany. He was an expert marksman in the military and credits his uncles for teaching him to shoot at an early age during summers he spent in Yazoo City.
John worked as a commercial/graphic artist for The Yellow Pages and Gordon Marks Advertising Agency before partnering with three others to form AdMarket. After leaving AdMarket, John formed his own freelance company, John Murphy Commercial Art and Design in the late eighties. In his mid-fifties, he became one of the first commercial artists in the Jackson area to draw using a Mac computer for his artwork.
John made many friends in his lifetime. He will be remembered as a kind and generous Christian man, a loyal husband and a protective father.
John is survived by his son, John Murphy, Jr from Flora, MS; his daughters, Catherine (Glen) Davis from Terry, MS, Maureen Murphy from Madison, MS, and Patricia (Larry) Bennett from Flora, MS; his grandchildren, Chris Davis, Kerry Davis, Zach Bennett and Ryan Bennett; five great grandchildren; and his sister, Louise Murphy Andy from Gluckstadt, MS.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Renate Murphy; his parents, Joe and Louise Murphy; his sister, Mary Eliza Murphy Lanning; and his brother Joseph Patrick Murphy, Jr.
The family would like to thank his caregivers for the love and kindness they gave John in his last years. They became part of the family through this journey: Edna Banger, Mary Arnold and his hospice nurse, Katherine Sims with Heart of Hospice.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass/Memorial at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday February 21st, 2026, at St. Richard's Catholic Church, 1242 Lynnwood Dr, Jackson, MS. Memorials may be made to St. Richard's Catholic Church.
