Howard Lloyd Murphy

Howard Lloyd Murphy

OGDEN - Howard Lloyd Murphy, beloved son, brother and uncle slipped away in the quiet of his home early Sunday morning, July 22, 2007. Lloyd was born, lived and died in Ogden, Utah, the city of his ancestors and a home he truly loved.

Born May 17, 1924, Lloyd was the first son of Howard and Mabel Ogden Smith Murphy. He was preceded in death by an older sister, his father who died when Lloyd was ten, and his mother who passed away in 1991. Lloyd is survived by his brother Edward Murphy, his four nephews (Howard, Philip, Michael and John) and their wives and children.

Lloyd graduated from Ogden High School in 1942 and immediately volunteered to serve in the army. A sharpshooter, Lloyd served with the famous Thirty-sixth Infantry Division in World War Two. He fought in the North Africa campaign, participated in the American invasion of Italy and fought his way through the Italian peninsula. A decorated war hero, Lloyd was grievously wounded on a volunteer mission to bring medical supplies to a group of G.I.''s trapped behind enemy lines during the battle of Monte Casino. His wounds were considered so grave that Lloyd was left to die while other patients were attended to. But it wasn''t his time. Looking at his dog tags a nurse mentioned him to Dr. Smith, a man she knew was also from Ogden. He took one look, recognized Lloyd and resolved to do whatever was necessary. Lloyd''s life was saved in war-torn Italy by the man who had been his childhood doctor in Utah. The next five years were excruciating. Lloyd underwent one major surgery after another and then developed osteomelitis, an infliction that would haunt him to the present. Although Lloyd could walk, for the rest of his life he was in pain.

Once his health permitted Lloyd attended Weber State College, the University of Utah and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Berkeley''s Church Divinity School of the Pacific (an Episcopal seminary) in 1956. For years he worked in the family business (a curio store on 25th Street). Lloyd loved learning. He was a voracious reader, multi-lingual, and a Biblical scholar. He was fond of poetry and enjoyed fine art. He traveled widely and loved being with his family. He was the embodiment of the first two great commandments: he loved God and chose to serve Him through numerous acts of kindness, love and charity to everyone he met.

Lloyd was a kind, gentle soul who found joy in serving as a volunteer particularly at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church bookstore and St. Anne''s, the Catholic charity center. He worked with the homeless and the sick. Although he never married he loved his family and doted on his nephews as if they were his own. He was a devoted member of Ogden''s Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration where he served as a cantor. Lloyd loved and was loved in return by the Greek Orthodox community. He found great satisfaction helping with the Greek Festival and loved working in the church''s bookstore. He will be greatly missed by his family, neighbors, friends and fellow parishioners. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration, 674 a€" 42nd Street.

Friends may call at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. with Trisagion Prayers at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday from 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Interment in the Ogden City Cemetery follows immediately.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration.

Email condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com