Rev. Thomas J. Murphy
Deceased: 2014-02-28
Diocese: INDIANAPOLIS
Seminary Graduation Year: 1985
Rev. Thomas J. Murphy January 24, 1932 – February 28, 2014 Fr. Thomas J. Murphy, 82, a Roman Catholic priest and attorney, the son of Robert L. and Helen (O’Connell) Murphy, both deceased, grew up in Irvington on Hawthorne Lane, a short distance from Our Lady of Lourdes Church. His early life revolved around church and school and fun on the clay tennis courts at nearby Ellenberger Park. His musical interests were developed at Our Lady of Lourdes School and further expanded at Cathedral High School (1950). He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1954 and was a student organist there at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. He would later have occasion to play for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He served for two years in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Tokyo. To follow was employment in Indianapolis and attendance at the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, graduating in 1961. His nineteen-year law practice was centered at his Monument Circle office with Hilgedag, Johnson, Secrest and Murphy. In 1965-66, he served a term in the Indiana House of Representatives and was chairman of the Marion County Affairs Committee. This committee originated legislation that was ultimately passed by the Indiana General Assembly leading to the first convention center complex in Indianapolis. In 1968, he ran in the Democratic primary for Indiana Attorney General. Fr. Murphy taught business law at Marian University for 13 years and served on its Board of Trustees. He is a former president of the Catholic Communications Center of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He became active with Serra International in 1970 and served as its international president in 1978-79. The Serrans promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life and, as its president, he traveled extensively to South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In 1981, he commenced the study of theology in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, known as the Angelicum, and resided in the North American College. He was ordained to the deaconate in Rome in February, 1985 and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in August, 1985. His assignments as a priest included St. Lawrence and Christ the King parishes, and pastorates at St. Joan of Arc and St. John the Evangelist (1993-2006). For a number of years he served as the Archdiocesan representative in the Ecumenical and Interfaith areas and was invited by the Disciples of Christ to attend their gathering in Rome. Fr. Murphy was a tennis enthusiast, an accomplished pianist and organist, 2004 Indianapolis Athletic Club Irishman of the Year, and was the first recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Indiana Gov. Joseph Kernan. He was a proud member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Notre Dame Club of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis and Indiana Bar Associations. Father Tom is known to his many nieces and nephews as “UT” (Uncle Tom) and encouraged all young people to adopt a healthy balance in life through what he referred to as “Work, Study, Pray, and Play.” He is known to many, many others as a faithful and true friend, consistently in good and gentle spirit. He has served his country and state, and as a priest he has followed in Christ’s path, ministering to and a friend of God’s people of all denominations. In the latter years of his life, he was graciously assisted by nieces and nephews of the Schreiber, Derwent, Jeffers, and Murphy families. The family is also most grateful to the sisters of St. Benedict at St. Paul Hermitage, the staff of Huser Homecare and Dr. Michael Busk for their loving care of Fr. Tom in his concluding years. Fr. Murphy is survived by his brother, Robert O. Murphy, Sr. (Eileen) of Granger, IN. His older brother, James E. Murphy, and younger sister, Marilyn (Murphy) Jeffers, are deceased. He is also survived by eighteen nieces and nephews: Christopher (Barbara Booth) Murphy, Studio City, CA, Marianne (James) Zarzana, Marshall, MN, Nancy (David) Spicer, London, UK, Statia Murphy (Michael Firsich) Indianapolis, IN, Robert O., Jr. (Kimberley) Murphy, Western Springs, IL, Matthew (Valerie) Murphy, Murrieta, CA, Thomas (Kathleen) Jeffers, Alexandria, VA, Patrick (Ann) Jeffers, Carmel, IN, Tim (Chris) Jeffers, Indianapolis, IN, Maureen (Paul) Derwent, Wheaton, IL, Michael (Kim) Jeffers, Carmel, IN, Kate (Ben) Schreiber, Indianapolis, IN, James Murphy, Dallas, TX, Peter Murphy (Nadia), Chicago, IL, Michael Murphy, Indianapolis, IN, Mary Murphy, Lafayette, CA, Dan (Laura) Murphy, Fairfax Station, VA, Kate Marquez, Dallas, TX. A mass celebrating Fr. Murphy’s life will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 5333 E. Washington St., at 11 a.m. on Friday March 7. A visitation for family and friends will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, and also from 10-11 a.m. on March 7 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church prior to the mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Youth Organization at 580 E. Stevens St., Indianapolis, IN 46203 and will benefit the Fr. Tom Murphy Campership Fund and annual Fr. Tom Murphy CYO Music Contest Recital.
