John Walter ‘Pa’ Murphy

July 4, 1935 - March 12, 2021

CHULA VISTA — Born in San Diego on the 4th of July, he was a veteran of the Korean War, earned his black belt in Japan and later founded “Club Cuauhtli Karate”. His greatest accomplishment was his 63-year marriage to Rose Mary. During their courtship he wrote her 70 love letters that read like poems, and drove 900 miles round trip, from Fort Ord to Tijuana, to visit “the most beautiful woman he ever met”. He was so fiercely protective of her, he would not stand disrespect, nor an unkind tone towards her. He said to her, “Mi destino fue quererte”, my destiny was to love you, and together they had 5 children; Sean, Patricia, Maria Elena, Brian and Conan. Family rituals included mass on Sundays, breakfast at the bowling alley, traveling cross-country in a converted school bus. Their home never knew a stranger, with enough food for all. He later showed the same devotion to his 10 grandchildren; Connor, Kiera, Quin, Shane, Hannah, Michaela, Brendan, Liam, Brianna and Morgan. Friends described him as “a lion, a benevolent patriarch who was larger than life.” But like his father and grandfather, he was modest and generous in his praise of others. “He embodied an extraordinary kind of love that helped bind together not only his own family, but extended it to all who came into the powerful orbit of their family.” Another friend said, “He was a hammer that would fiercely protect all of his nails, including me. I know deep in my heart that if I ever shouted out to the Murphy’s that I needed help, they would come with all of their furious love.” Finally, “Though Pa is gone, his love will not go with him; for such a love is built to last, and will resonate through time. It’s a love inscribed and impressed not in days or years, but in generations.” We hope to celebrate his life with all who loved him on his birthday, July 4th. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com