Donald Woodrow Murphy

Donald Woodrow Murphy, 13 days shy of his 105th birthday, met his Heavenly Father face to face on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20, 2021, surrounded by his wife and spiritual family in the comfort of his home in Grayson, Georgia.

The call of God was on his life from birth, but in 1938, Don heard the Lord audibly speak his name and it changed his life forever. He was in the ministry for 83 years, sharing the pure anointed Word of God and truths of the Kingdom. He believed in the many membered ministering Body and preached the Gospel— Christ in you the hope of glory.

There is not enough space to convey the life story of Don Murphy and his many travels and adventures in the Lord. Being born in 1916, he knew people who were alive during the American Civil War. He served in the 6th infantry at Jefferson Barracks, 1933-1935, when the US Army still had mules. He pastored 9 churches and was a missionary in India during their Civil War when Ghandi was alive. He had an orphanage of 100 children, hunted man-eating tigers to help the villagers, survived many near death experiences including virtually drowning in the Indian Ocean, being nearly eaten by crocodiles, and being delivered from the hands of evil men who were mass slaughtering people in front of his very eyes. In the years following India, Don ministered on the air and in numerous meetings throughout the United States and other countries. He reached people everywhere he went (including his neighbors), until a week before he passed. He moved in signs and wonders and had numerous supernatural experiences throughout his life. Through the many exploits, he lived simply with contentment, joy, and deep abiding life in Christ.

Don was loving, humorous, serious, passionate and compassionate, articulate, a gifted storyteller, and great encourager, always lifting people up to a higher place in the Lord. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, friend, mentor, pastor, missionary, evangelist, teacher, orator, veteran, builder, shepherd, farmer, and more... He didn’t like titles and never sought to bring attention or glory to himself, only to the glorified Son of Man — Jesus Christ.

Don is survived by his wife of 30 years, Janis Murphy, daughters Patricia Kelhoyoma (Loren), and Ruth Crom (John), his granddaughters Debbie Williams (George) and Melissa Gutzman (Dan), 8 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and many spiritual children, some who lovingly refer to him as “Papa Don”.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday July 3rd, his 105th birthday, at Grayson Park in Grayson, Georgia at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a fund for the purpose of digitizing Don’s recorded teachings for this and future generations. Please make checks payable to Jan Murphy and specify the purpose of the donation. Donations can also be made in Don’s honor to The Salvation Army or Paralyzed Veterans of America.