Richard (Dick) Nelson Murphy, cherished husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Wednesday, June 27 at the age of 84, due to heart failure.

A native Tulsan, Dick was born on April 7, 1934, an only child raised by an educator/writer Mom. He followed in her footsteps, graduating from Cassia Hall and the University of Tulsa with a degree in Journalism. He subsequently enjoyed a successful career spanning four decades, traveling the world telling stories. He lent his considerable editorial talents to the Army Post, the Tulsa World, the Oil & Gas Journal, and Standard Oil/Amoco Torch Magazine, rising through the ranks to the role of Director of Public and Government Affairs. At Amoco, he worked at corporate offices in Tulsa, Chicago, Denver, and finally back to Tulsa, where he retired in 1992.

At his core, Dick was a devoted and loving husband to Marian, his wife of 61 years, and a dedicated father to his four children. He taught them independence and set the highest expectations. His children fondly recall having to hand trim the large lot around the family home with miniature manual clippers, and having to recite the succession of U.S. Presidents in chronological order, and then backwards.  A stickler for timeliness, he would rouse them from bed with an Army chant, and coax them to leave on time for Mass each Sunday by sitting in the car and honking. When his oldest made the Dean's List at her first year at college, he said, "Why did you get a B?" When his youngest wanted to try out for the cheerleading squad, he replied, "Do you want to cheer for other people, or do you want people to cheer for you?"

An Irishman at heart, he loved musicals, puns, and a prank, and reveled in detailed storytelling. He was the only person we knew who could retell a 20-minute episode of "Cheers" in 45 minutes. Brilliant with a pen, he was useless with a screwdriver, and was so directionally challenged that he once paid the same Chicago toll booth employee four times before realizing he was driving in circles. Ironically, now that our husband/father is gone, we are the ones feeling lost.

Dick was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Mary's Parish. He served on the board of Red Crown Federal Credit Union, serving on the Supervisory and Public Relations Committees.  He lived his last five years at Montereau, where he enjoyed many friendships and shared activities.

A Rosary will be held Sunday, July 1 at 3pm at the Chapel at Montereau. Visitation to follow at Fitzgerald Southwood Chapel from 5-7 pm. Funeral Mass to be held Monday, July 2 at 10 am at The Church of St. Mary.

He is survived by his wife Marian, children Kathleen (John), Eileen (Mike) McGranahan, Kevin (Cheryl), Megan (Brad) Eise, and grandchildren Bridget, Timothy, Molly, Kelly, Bailey, Keegan, Riley, Peyton, and Kelsey.  Dick was predeceased by his son Timmy and parents Joseph and Jane Wells Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association at 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas TX 75231. (800) 242-8721. www.heart/org .

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.