Michael Earl Murphy

Michael Earl Murphy of Cottonwood Heights Utah, born to Clinton Earl Murphy and Claudia Catherine Bradfield Murphy on September 14, 1942, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 8, 2026.

Michael had many adventures in his long life. He would often tell stories that would sometimes raise questions about how he survived for so long! He was always finding ways to be mischievous and creative at the same time and was what some may call a “hooligan” and “jokester”!

As a young boy he loved adventuring around his neighborhood in the Sugar House area. He loved his hometown and would recall many fond memories of the area, including working at a horse stable, running the streets with friends and spending time with his brother Fred and sister Cheri. As he grew he decided school wasn’t particularly for him so he joined the Air Force in January 1961 and finished his high school degree through them that same year. He completed his boot camp in Texas and was then shipped off to California where he was an airplane mechanic until he was honorably discharged in January 1965. He loved being a mechanic working on the planes in the Air Force and decided he would continue working in that industry. He got married to his first wife Patricia Swapp in 1967 and they moved to Seattle where he worked for Boeing for a few years and had their first baby girl, Shannon. They loved Washington but there was a strike and they decided to return to Utah in 1970 to be closer to family. In 1972, they welcomed their second daughter, Kristin and two years later their only son, Teague who completed their little family. Michael found jobs in various places for the first few years until he returned to his passion of airplane mechanics at Hill Air Force Base. There he would continue working on the flight line as an airplane mechanic and later on as a safety inspector. He retired from HAFB in 2004. In his spare time, Michael enjoyed fishing, skiing, hunting, loading his own ammo, reading many books and driving unique cars. He once owned a red and white corvette, a limousine and even an ambulance!

In 1977, Patricia and Michael divorced and about a year later, married Jo Lynn Hatch. He inherited two children, Dawn and Tracy who he adored as his own. He continued with his pastimes and also took up stamp collecting and writing mathematical theories. He wrote a paper called “Time and Size” and sent it in to other mathematicians for review. He loved all things science and would often try and teach what he knew, most of his audience would try and understand what language he was speaking. One standing joke about him was, if you asked him what time it was he would tell you how the watch worked. He was a very intelligent man.

Later in life in retirement, he enjoyed trips to Wendover, antique shops, air shows (anything to go see a plane), visiting old buildings to see their architecture and libraries to collect books they were selling. He had so many books!

He also very much enjoyed tongue twisters and little funny sayings. His favorite that most who knew him is as follows:

“One night in broad daylight two dead boys got up to fight. They drew their swords and shot each other. A deaf policeman heard the noise and came to stop the two dead boys. Ha Ha

Michael had such wonderful qualities. His stories and knowledge will be missed but we are so fortunate to have his children and grandchildren. They hold many of his finest qualities in their genes and will carry on his legacy.

Michael is survived by his brother Fred (Sharon) Murphy, sister Cheri Murphy, daughters Shannon (Stacy) Tuckett and Kristin (Jon) Castleton, stepdaughter Traci Martinez as well as 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clinton Earl Murphy and Claudia Catherine Bradfield Murphy, his wife Jo Lynn Hatch Murphy, Dawn Marcantonio and his beloved son Teague Andrew Murphy.

Funeral services will be held privately by family and close friends. His ashes will be buried at Larkin Sunset Lawns.