FRANCIS “GENE” MURPHY

February 22, 2018

Francis Eugene "Gene" Murphy, 91, of Sedalia, died Feb. 14, 2018. Born Jan. 24, 1927 in Clark County, Mo., to Wayne Frank Murphy and Myrtle Marie (Fish) Murphy. He met Dortha "Alene" (Ridge) Murphy, when he was 16. Their 73-year marriage started on October 11, 1944, the day before he left for WWII.

After the Navy, Gene started running grain cooperatives at the age of 24 and did it the rest of his career. After 25 years with the Missouri Farmers Association (MFA) he spent 17 years in Richmond running Ray-Carroll Cooperative, living in LaGrange, Lewistown, Brunswick, Columbia, Dexter, Fayette, Richmond, and Sedalia, with Gene overseeing more than 100 different operations.

Gene's passion for the cooperative way of business landed him in the Missouri Cooperative Hall of Fame, earned him Farmland's Dreyer Award, and was on the Board of Directors of Farmland Industries, at the time, the largest cooperative in America. He served on the City Council in Richmond and as a post Commander of the American Legion, where he was a member for 72 years. He was an active Methodist at numerous churches.

Gene is survived by his wife, Alene, of Sedalia, sister, Lola Gares (Clifford Gares) of Kahoka, Son, Alan (Lauri Thomas) of Columbia, four grandsons, 7 great-grandchildren,

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Delbert and Robert, sister Hazel Wolfmeyer and daughter-in-law Marcia.

A celebration of life was held Feb. 17 at Wesley United Methodist in Sedalia. A graveside service with military honors was held at Mark's Cemetery in LaGrange, Missouri.

His proudest accomplishment was creating the Ray-Carroll Grain Growers Scholarship Fund for local kids to attend college in Missouri. Contributions to the fund can be made at: P.O. Box 158 Richmond, Missouri 64085.