James Murphy

James Darrel Murphy

James Darrel Murphy, 43, passed away on January 18, 2018, due to heart failure in Belfair, Washington.  James was a great dad who loved his three beautiful children.  He was the son of Patrick Murphy and Gail Becker, born on July 16, 1974, in Denver, Colorado.  James spent most of his growing up years in the Denver area, but loved his summers in Trinidad, Colorado.

James married Stephanie Esplin in 2001 in Layton, Utah.  They resided in Colorado for a few years, but he found himself moving to Utah and leaving behind his beloved Colorado.  He found a job he loved at Hill Air Force Base.

James was the father of three children, Holden, Sadie, and Camden that he loved very much.  He was a devoted dad and spent many hours in the driveway watching them ride their bikes or playing board games.  James and Stephanie did divorce but remained great friends and co-parents.  James learned to enjoy Utah but ultimately moved to Belfair, Washington, to be closer to his father because of his bad heart.  Moving to Washington was extremely difficult for him, because he was so far away and missed his children very much.  His children greatly missed him also.

James was a sports enthusiast that cheered on his Colorado teams with a passion.  The only time he

didn’t cheer for the Denver Broncos was when they played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his absolute favorite football team.  He also had a passion for car racing and loved to watch it at home or at the track.  James was an avid golfer who always had a golf club in his hands.  While in Utah, James learned to cope with the lack of professional sports teams by exploring the many golf courses Utah has to offer.  He loved to talk sports with anyone who would listen and kept himself up to date on the sports he loved.  James was a man with a kind heart who would help anyone in need.  He will be deeply missed.

James is survived by his three children, father Patrick, Washington; mother Gail and stepfather Joe, Colorado; sister Sarah (Clint), Washington; and other family in Colorado.  He was preceded in death by his Grandpa Jim and Grandma Thelma and his Great Aunt Sis.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. at the Valley View Stake Center, 1589 E. Gentile Street, Layton.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton.