Patrick Murphy Sr.

Our loved ones remain near when we keep their love and memory a heartbeat away. Although his life here ended much too soon, Patrick Murphy made a significant impact in the lives of those who knew him best. A beautiful soul, Patrick was a lot of things to a lot of people and he touched the hearts of everyone he met with ways all his own. Always good for a laugh, he made those enjoying his company smile easily. Patrick was a fun loving man with a contagious zest for life that was impossible to miss. With his outgoing personality and genuine nature, he was more than willing to help others in ways both great and small. Life will never be the same without Patrick, but the memories he leaves behind will remain a lasting treasure.

An age of technology, the decade of the 1990s was one to remember. With over one million using the internet, the web browser would one day come to make telephone books, encyclopedias and most newspaper publications nearly obsolete. While Michael Jordan was at the top of his game, computer gaming systems were all the rage as well as the opening of the largest shopping mall in the U.S., the 78 acre Mall of America in Minnesota. Yet life for James and Karen Murphy was forever changed on Thursday, June 4, 1992, when they announced the birth of their precious “big” boy, Patrick Thomas Murphy.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Patrick was all boy right from the start. He enjoyed a childhood filled with boyhood adventures and neighborhood friends. He built tree houses, loved riding dirt bikes with his siblings, played soccer and football, and he especially enjoyed building projects with his grandpa. Through the years memorable and fun-filled times with family were enjoyed, especially during the holidays and numerous other family celebrations. He enjoyed family trips to Disney World and Niagara Falls, and he loved scuba diving and fishing along the way. Patrick attended Northview, Greenville and Penn Foster schools where he made numerous friendships over the years. He was always quite close to his siblings which made for fun times whenever they were together.

Life as Patrick knew it forever changed when he met Veronica Peterman through a mutual friend while in Texas for a time. They dated for nine months, and on September 24, 2010 they were married in Spring, Texas. Patrick and Veronica eventually made Michigan their home and he was glad to be back near his family.

Nothing made Patrick happier than taking care of his family and he was a proud father to their three children. “Little” Patrick Jr. came along on December 21, 2010, and Patrick counted his namesake as his best Christmas gift ever. Their daughter, Ellie Mae entered the world on August 30, 2013, and Smith “Sniff” completed their family on June 22, 2015. Patrick was a fun parent and was always ready to play with the kids. He was the voice of reason with them, and very active in their lives. For a while he even coached baseball when Patrick Jr. began getting into sports.

To support his family, Patrick worked as a plumber with Rivercity Mechanical and he was good at what he did. In fact, Patrick was good at just about everything he tried and he could fix anything. While his family was his greatest treasure, Patrick particularly enjoyed sitting around a good bonfire with family and friends. He was known for his delicious ribs and beef briskets he prepared on his BBQ smoker and was always up for trying something new on it. When it came to eating, Patrick always had an appetite for pizza, ribs, a good burger, and beef jerky. He also had quite a sweet tooth when it came to candy. In his free time, Patrick loved kayaking, golfing, snowmobiling and of course, fixing things! Although one for hard rock and hair bands, Patrick also listened to a variety of music he liked. Never far of Patrick’s side were his two prized dogs, Zoey and Benny.

Patrick Murphy could light up a room with his easygoing, fun loving ways. Often the life of the party, he was usually the center of attention, and he didn’t mind it at all! With numerous attributes as vast as the stars, Patrick was a likable man full of possibilities. Accepting of all, it was in Patrick’s nature to be all about peace, love and happiness. Most importantly, with the family he adored by his side. A kid at heart, Patrick will be remembered for his selfless giving nature and his great sense of humor. For all that he was and more, he will be deeply missed.

Patrick T. Murphy, of Grand Rapids, Michigan earned his wings on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at the age of 25. Patrick is survived by his wife, Veronica; their children, Patrick Jr., Ellie-Mae and Smith “Sniff” Murphy; parents, Karen (Jason) Williams, James (Rochelle) Murphy; siblings, JJ (D'ann), Megan (Chris Jewell), Logan and Olivia Murphy; aunts, Kathy (Chris) Lesky and Angela Murphy; grandparents, Jerry and Sandy Patton; mother-in-law, Dawn (Scotty Rolls) Peterman; father-in-law, John (Shirley) Peterman; brothers-in-law, Jeffrey and Bryan Powell; sister-in-law, Johnni Peterman; he was “Munkle” to his nieces & nephews; many close friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Peggy Murphy; and aunt, Cindy (Ninny) Kuzawa. A celebration of life will be held Friday, May 18, 2018, 4:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit his family Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the funeral home. According to his wishes, cremation will take place. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of West Michigan. Please visit Patrick's personal web page to read more of his life story, leave a memory or condolence at www.lifestorynet.com.