James A Murphy

May 20, 2018

James A. Murphy of Culpeper, Va. departed on Pentecost, May. 20, 2018. James was born in 1935 to Joseph J. and Gertrude M. Murphy. He graduated from St. Joseph's University and from Iowa State University with a PhD in physical chemistry. He met his wife, Catherine, in the lab next door. He worked 30 years at Corning, Inc. James is an inventor on eleven patents in thin films and optical wave guides listed at the U.S Patent office where his son, Tim, works. His son, Paul, followed with five patents in optical measurements. A co-worker described Jim as a “gentle giant”. His son, Tom, wrote that he was the kindest person he knew. With his children, Jim constructed the interior of a new home. He taught religious education for St. Patrick’s in Corning and Precious Blood Parish in Culpeper. Gardening was his passion. He scoured numerous seed catalogs at the end of each year to find new and interesting plants to grow. He carefully tended his seeds and tender seedlings until they were strong and ready for the hot dry Culpeper summers. He loved tending the fruit trees particularly his peaches. While he made his living and loved being a research chemist, he also loved working with his hands. In addition to gardening, he was a skilled woodworker, carpenter, plumber and electrician. He loved to patiently teach his children new skills that really came in handy when they became homeowners. He loved crossword and Sudoku puzzles that he spent more time on in recent years when back pain prevented him from being as active. Husband of Catherine. Father of Timothy (Judith), Thomas, Anne (James) Broker, Paul (Sheilah). Grandfather of Patrick, Jack, and Emily. Uncle of nine loving nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his sisters, Cecilia (Coyle) and Trudy, and by his brother, Joseph. Services and Interment are private. Memorial gifts may be made to: Epiphany School, Culpeper, VA or Doctors without Borders