CONFIRMED: Patricia Murphy, Retired, Veteran, US Air Force, Vietnam (216-24) 28 Oct 24
2102 N Loop 1604 E
San Antonio, TX 78232
USA
US AIR FORCE RETIRED VETERAN – VIETNAM WAR
The family of Ms. Patricia Murphy, a US Air Force (Ret.) Veteran, requests the presence and participation of the San Antonio Patriot Guard at the services and LEO supported procession, and graveside rendering of military honors of their loved one. We are honored to accept this invitation.
Patricia “Pat” Murphy, 87, passed from this earth gently among loved ones on Sept. 23 following a brief illness. She was born in New York City to Irish immigrant parents Timothy J. and Nora Curran Murphy. Pat was a beloved sister, aunt, friend, mentor, and grand friend to neighbor children. Her childhood in Elmhurst in Queens was filled with playing street stickball games, sledding down a snowy vacant lot on cardboard, and being active in Catholic parish life. She credited graduating from Bishop McDonnell, an all-girls high school, and from all-woman Hunter College in Manhattan, for developing her considerable leadership skills. Before her Air Force commissioning in 1963, she taught high school English. While in the Air Force, she earned a Master’s Degree from the University of California.
Colonel Murphy’s 30-year Air Force career included several glass ceiling-breaking assignments, including serving in Vietnam in 1972 as one of the few Air Force women line officers to do so. Her favorite job was as base commander of Zweibruecken AB, Germany, in 1982. Other notable assignments include: chief of staff for the Electronic Security Command (ESC) in San Antonio; commander of the European Division (ESC) at Ramstein AB, Germany, during. Desert Storm. Her last assignment was chief of staff for the Director of the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, MD. Following retirement, she served on the Surveys and Investigations Team for the U.S House Appropriations Committee. In 1998, she formed The Murphy Group to provide management training to members of the Department of Defense, an endeavor she cheekily called an oxymoron. She was teaching a one-day seminar in the Pentagon on 9/11, when a plane slammed into the building. She said her familiarity with the Pentagon helped her guide her less familiar students out to safety.
She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage. She celebrated when a DNA test revealed she was 100 percent Irish. This prompted a New York cousin, whose DNA test showed her to be 89 percent Irish, to comment, “You Murphys were always overachievers.”
Using humor as an enlightening tool, she never let facts get in the way of a good story to make her point. Knowing that her troops would need time to adjust to calling her Ma’am, at Zweibruecken she instituted a 25 cent “Sir Tax” for any infraction. Although word spread quickly, at the end of her command she donated an impressive number of quarters to the child care center. Acknowledging the role mentors had played in her success, she strove to give other talented people a seat at the table, regardless of their gender or ethnicity.
Pat enjoyed traveling, reading, discussing current events, and watching Spurs and WNBA games. “Jeopardy!” was appointment TV, accompanied by a glass of red wine. She also became a respectable Grill Sergeant. She enjoyed being involved in her local communities, serving on the boards of the Domestic Violence Center, Howard County, MD, and the Montessori School of San Antonio.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; her brother Monsignor Timothy J. Murphy of Midland; and niece Diane Davies. She is survived by: brother Emmet (Dianna); niece Kim Thomas; nephews Michael Murphy and Timothy Murphy, all of CA; great nieces Samantha and Megan Davies, Kaitlyn, and Claire Thomas; great nephew Emmet Murphy, and by her partner of 35 years Grace Blancett.
WEATHER: Hi 84 / Lo 70, 0 % Chance of Rain, 90 % Humidity, Wind: 4 mph SE
REQUESTOR: Brenda Hoster, Family SPOX
STAGING: 12:00 pm, Monday, October 28, 2024
Porter Loring Mortuaries North
2102 N Loop-1604E
San Antonio, Texas 78232
https://goo.gl/maps/QqJh7Wi49EGft5Zh9
BRIEFING: 12:15 pm
SERVICE: 1:00 pm
Porter Loring Mortuaries North
2102 N Loop-1604E
San Antonio, Texas 78232
https://goo.gl/maps/QqJh7Wi49EGft5Zh9
KSU: 2:00 pm (Semper Gumby)
INTERMENT: 2:30 pm – Shelter #3 (Call to Verify)
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/kQ68VALuUAptXpgS9
RC: Lisa “Fancy Pants” Menard
pgr.lisamenard@gmail.com
FC: Rich “Richie Rich” Pachecano
rich@pachecano.net
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated and unless under special circumstances not allowed in processions. You do not have to have a motorcycle to participate in honoring our veterans.
2. Safety First: Please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also please do not forget your sun screen.
3. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and. NO TALKING, SMOKING, CHEWING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OR CELL PHONE USE IN THE FLAG LINE!
***Safety Notice***
Before volunteering and/or attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders missions we encourage you to review all safety information below. Included are some potential safety concerns to be aware of, however this does not include the full scope of all potential hazards. Anyone attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders mission understands that they do so at their own risk. Neither the Patriot Guard Riders Organization nor its representatives are liable for any damages incurred on any PGR mission or event.
Funeral Processions/Escorts
EVERY RIDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for their own safety at all times while riding in a funeral procession.
At NO TIME are any riders authorized to block any intersection or otherwise block or impede traffic laws in any way. Only Law Enforcement officials are authorized to block and/or impeded the lawful flow of traffic.
If you choose to fly a Flag on your bike you are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for ensuring it is secured and not a danger to any other rider or traffic.
Warm Regards,
Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
Asst. State Captain
Deputy State Captain
San Antonio Patriot Guard
Dignity, Honor, Respect
Cell: 562-413-2223
“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us get to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.”
Will Rogers