Mr. Howard H. Murphy, 88, of Adamstown, a lifelong resident of Frederick County, died on Monday, March 17, 2014 at his home. He was the husband of Anna Mae Myers Murphy, whom he married on May 4, 1946. Born November 27, 1925, in Frederick, he was a son of the late Bruce and Emma Cookerly Murphy. Mr. Murphy served in the United States Army during World War II, and later retired in 1985 as staff sergeant from the Army Reserves. He was first inducted into the 398th Infantry Regiment and went overseas where he participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and was wounded in combat near Bitche, France in December 1944. He received the Purple Heart Medal and Combat Infantry Badge, as well as other service medals, awards and decorations. Following his active military service Mr. Murphy worked at Fort Detrick for many years until retirement and also with Frederick County Public Schools, operating a school bus. He was also a special deputy with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office for many years. He was past commander and a life member of the Francis Scott Key, Post 11, American Legion, Frederick; was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans; AMVETS, Post 2, Frederick; La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8, (Forty & 8) Voiture Locale 155; Military Oder of the Purple Heart, and the Wounded Warriors Project. Mr. Murphy was a life-member of the Emmitsburg Post 6658, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of Flint Hill United Methodist Church. Mr. Murphy also helped coach Little League baseball and enjoyed American Legion baseball for many years; was formerly an active duckpin bowler and enjoyed traveling. He was an avid Washington Redskins fan. Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, Audie Murphy, and wife Vicki, of Myersville; Daryl Murphy and wife Sharon, of Adamstown; Beverly True and husband, Richard, of Thurmont; six grandchildren, Brian Murphy and wife Dawn, Kelly Murphy and wife Emilie, Shawn Murphy and wife Jessica, Mark Murphy and wife Tiffany, Cindy True and boyfriend, Wade Stuffle, Erin True and fiancé, Jason Goff; six great-grandchildren, Logan Murphy, Reagan Murphy, Morgan Murphy, Austin Murphy, Autumn Murphy and Savannah Leigh Murphy; one sister, Mary Alice Simmons, of Hershey, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Merhle Murphy The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9pm on Thursday, March 20 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E Church Street, Frederick, where funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, March 21, with Pastor Robert Ruggieri, of Flint Hill United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Flint Hill United Methodist Church, 2732 Park Mills Road, Adamstown, MD 21710, or to the FSK Post 11, American Legion, 1450 Taney Ave, Frederick, MD 21702. Online condolences may be shared with the family at keeneybasford.com.
