James Edwin 'Jim' Murphy

James Edwin "Jim" Murphy, former valley resident and his twin brother, Joseph Earl, were aboard a float plane missing since Sept. 20, 2004.

They were born Jan. 26, 1940, in St Paul, Minn., to Joseph and Lorraine Murphy. When the twins were three the family moved to Murphy Farm near Murdock, Minn. In 1946 the family moved to the Kalispell area.

The twins attended the one room Half Moon Country School until 1951 when the family moved to Kalispell. They then attended St. Matthew's Catholic school. They served as altar boys for several years. They attended Flathead County High school, class of 1958.

During their high school years they set pins at the Skyline Bowling Alley and became outstanding bowlers, winning several tournaments in the men's division.

At the age of 15, Jim won the local fishing derby. The story was aired by Paul Harvey. Mr. Harvey received the large bull trout.

During his high school years Jim joined the Army National Guard and later was on recall during the Cuban Crisis.

After graduation Jim moved to eastern Montana where he worked until he moved to Seattle, in 1960, where he went to work for Boeing. He had his first experience with unions when he joined the machinists union. In 1962, he moved to Sacramento, Calif., and started his first job as an ironworker, joining the Ironworkers Union 118; three years later he was elected to its board. During his career Jim served as president, business agent and business manager of local 118. Jim also served as president of the Sacramento-Sierra Building and Construction trade and vice president of Sacramento Central Labor Council AFL-CIO.

During the 1990s Jim, along with his fellow workers, celebrated each Labor Day by serving food to the hungry at Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento. At that time Jim said, "I am distressed to see the young people and families who have not achieved the American Dream. Labor stands for compassion. There are people who are at the bottom of the rung. If we can't help them, we can't help ourselves." Jim was a very caring man, fighting for the rights of the working man.

In 1964, he met his wife, Bonnie Cope, and was married in 1965. On April 13, 1975, they were blessed with their daughter, Jamie. They lived in Elk Grove, Calif., until Jim's retirement. They then traveled until they found the home they wished to enjoy his retirement in overlooking Discovery Bay in Gardinier, Wash.

Some of the things Jim enjoyed throughout his life besides his Union work was working in politics, fishing, golfing, traveling to Ireland with his friend, Father Tom McQuire, whom he loved to challenge to a good discussion, working with his flowers, and cooking for his family and friends. Always a highlight in Jim's life was coming back to Montana to see his family and friends and attending his class reunions where he and his brother with their "Irish charm" entertained all who would listen.

"It will be the little things that we remember, the quiet moments, the smiles and although it may seem hard now, it will be the memories that help push away the pain and bring smiles back again, remembering two lives so important to so many."

Jim was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Murphy; mother, Lorraine Hendrix; and sisters, Barbara Velasco and Sharon Miller.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, and daughter, Jamie, at the family home in Gardinier Beach; sisters, Patricia Sonstelie and husband, Dale, and Monica Wright of Kalispell, Cathern Murphy of Sedro Wooley, Wash., Jacky Thorson and husband, Chris, of Bremerton, Wash., and Pam Wingate and husband, Larry, of Whitefish; brother, Michael Hendrix, of Bremerton; nine nephews, and 13 nieces.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 20, in St Paul's Episcopal Church in Bremerton, Wash., with Father Tom McGuire and Father Randy Williams officiating.

A celebration of remembrance is planned for Kalispell next summer.

Joseph Earl 'Joe' Murphy

Joseph Earl "Joe" Murphy and his twin brother, James, along with three others were enroute from Sitka to Baranof Springs, Alaska, on a fishing trip when their plane disappeared.

The family would like to thank the people of Sitka who volunteered their services and resources. Their generosity and helpfulness has renewed our faith in humanity. Joe's brother, son, and nephews, along with many volunteers, conducted a lengthy but fruitless search of Baranof Island and surrounding waters.

Joe and Jim were born Jan. 26, 1940, to Joseph and Lorraine Murphy in St. Paul, Minn. In 1946, the family bought a farm in the valley near Kalispell where Joe and Jim attended Half Moon one room school. In 1951, the family moved to Kalispell. He finished grade school at St. Matthew's Catholic School and was also an altar boy.

While attending Flathead County High School he worked at the local bowling alley setting pins. He became an outstanding bowler. He also worked for Todd's Bakery.

In August, after graduating from Flathead County High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Gerry Heber. In 1959, they moved to Seattle where he worked as a baker and attended college to become a wireman.

He was a member of the National Guard and was on recall during the Cuban Crisis.

He moved his family back to Kalispell area and worked on the Libby Dam. In 1965, after his mentally disabled daughter was denied an education, he moved his family back to Washington where his daughter was able to receive her education.

He was inspired by Mike Mansfield whose hard work enacted the Education for All Bill in Montana. He became a lifelong Democrat.

Joe worked as a wireman out of Local 46 until he went to work for Puget Power as a substation wireman.

He was chairman of the mental health board and worked on many democratic campaigns. He always kept a close eye on the legislature and senate views so he could support disabled and working people's causes.

He was Kitsap County Democratic chairman from 1974 to 1978, then state Democratic chairman until 1981. This year he was political coordinator for Local 77 for the Kerry Edwards campaign.

Joe was a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners.

He was very proud to be the father of four children and two foster sons.

Joe was a wonderful family man, having been raised in a large loving family. He was one of 10 children.

Joe was able to enjoy 20 years of quality fishing with his father. His mother taught him to be dedicated to his family and have a high work ethic for which he loved and respected her.

Joe was known for his smile and the twinkle in his eye. He never met a stranger and when he reached out his hand in friendship he also reached out in love and caring. Making the world a better place was very important. He had great faith in everyone. He was instrumental in family members and friends becoming wiremen. Whenever there was a need for help Joe was there with a lending hand. He was the mainstay of our family.

Joe and his brother, Jim, loved to do things together. Since retiring they had spent a lot of fun times together. Their faces always lit up when they were together. Joe and Jim will be missed very much by their families and friends.

Along with his father and mother, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara and Sharon.

He is survived by his wife, Gerry, and daughter, Teri, at the family home; sons, Jimmy, Bobby, Joey and wife, Debbie, of Bremerton; sons, Trung and wife, Lana, Tin and wife Trang Pham of Kent, Wash.; 13 grandchildren, Jackie, Tyler, Joey, Katie, Timmy, Tommy, Lisa, Patrick, Danny, Lynda, Vicky, Jason and Michelle; his five sisters, Patty and husband, Dale Sonstelie, and Monica Wright of Kalispell, Cathern Murphy of Sedro Wooley, Wash., Jacquelyn and husband, Chris Thorson, of Bremerton, and Pam and husband, Larry Wingate, of Whitefish; brother, Michael Hendrix, of Bremerton; nine nephews, and 13 nieces.

The family will be gathering together for a memorial for our beloved Joe and Jim at 11 a.m. Nov. 20, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 700 Callahan, Bremerton.