John 'Jack' Murphy

John “Jack” Murphy, 71, passed away May 22 at his home on Savage Lake in Troy.

Jack was born in Anaconda May 30, 1945 to Jim (Spud) and Mary Murphy. Jack was raised in Anaconda and graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1964. He was an avid athlete and competed in basketball and football. He went on to earn his teaching degree from Montana-Western in 1968 followed by his master’s degree from the University of Montana.

Jack, better known as “Murph”, moved to Troy in 1974 where he was a teacher and coach for 25 years before retiring in 1999. Teaching and coaching were Jack’s true passions and he loved helping others reach their goals and full potential. Throughout the years, Jack taught hundreds of kids science and coached football and track and field.

Jack was a true sportsaholic especially when it came around fall season where he could watch his beloved Montana Grizzlies, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Green Bay Packers!

Family and friends were his passion and delight. With his infectious humor, Jack always had a story to tell or a joke to share for a lending ear. The majority of the time these stories and jokes were swapped between Jack and his best friend Marv Schweitzer. He loved when family would visit him on Savage Lake so he could show them the natural beauty where he lived, including: hiking the Cabinet Mountains; walking to the Falls; visiting the Cedars, Swinging Bridge, or Kootenai Falls; or driving through the Yaak.

Jack also had a great love of animals. He could always be seen with one of his side-kick dogs throughout years including Lush, Lush Jr., Tug, Ernie, Eh and Mac.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Mary Murphy; brother, Jim Murphy; and sister, Sally Lovell.

Left to cherish his memory include his brother-in-law Bob Lovell; sister-in-law, Bobbie Murphy; aunt, Florence Mahoney; cousin, Dan (Toni) Mahoney; cousin, Chris Mahoney, Alison Wysong; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life is planned for 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby, followed by a social at The Silver Spur in Troy. Online condolences and memories may be made at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

Services are also planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Anaconda. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the services at the church. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery and then a social at Thompson’s Bar.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s name to the Troy Ambulance Service, 205 3rd St., Troy, MT 59935.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home of Anaconda is entrusted with Jack’s funeral arrangements. You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.