Steven James 'Pudge' Murphy, 54

Steven James "Pudge" Murphy, 54, of Helena passed away at his residence Oct. 13, 2005, from natural causes.

He was born Aug. 7, 1951, in Cut Bank, to James Edward Murphy and Elsie Lillian (Sewell) Walters.

Steven was raised in Cut Bank and had been employed by Buttery's Food Store throughout the Northwest for more than 30 years. He was also employed with Chuck Olson Real Estate of Flathead. He owned a Dairy Queen in Lakeside, and was later employed at the Stampede Packing Company in Somers.

Steven loved to hunt and fish, visit ghost towns, enjoyed reading about Blackfeet Indian history and the history of Montana.

His father, Jim Murphy, and a sister, Linda Theide, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his sons, Travis Murphy of Houston, and Tony Murphy, a student of University of Montana in Missoula; sister, Barbara and Jack King of Helena; brothers, Buck and Teresa Murphy, and Pat and Sandy Murphy, all of Cut Bank; mother, Elsie Walters, of Helena; stepmother, Shirley Murphy, of Cut Bank; stepbrother, Steve Fellars, of Kalispell; good friend, Bryan Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Traditional Native American rites will be conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 17, from Hagler-Anderson Chapel with Darren Bearshield-Melton will be officiating.

Preferred memorials may be sent in Steven's name to the Helena Indian Alliance, 436 N. Jackson St., Helena, MT 59601.