Deacon Kenneth Murphy passes away
OGDEN — Deacon Kenneth W. Murphy, a St. James the Just parishioner, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on April 16, 2019. Deacon Murphy was described by his pastor, Father Erik Richtsteig, as a “wonderful fellow” who with his wife, Jean, served the Church faithfully.
Fr. Richtsteig was the celebrant at the funeral Mass for Deacon Murphy April 27 at St. James the Just Catholic Church. Assisting at the Mass were Deacon Robert Bambrick and Deacon Steven Neveraski. Several members of Murphy’s diaconate formation group attended.
“When we look at the life of our friend Ken, [God] has poured out many good gifts,” Fr. Richtsteig said in his homily. “He is not going to let a little thing like death stop Him from giving him more gifts.”
“The story of God’s love for Ken is not over,” Fr. Richtsteig continued, referring to the resurrection of the Savior. Deacon Murphy “is in the hands of the God who loved him enough to suffer and die for him, to pour out his life for him, to allow Ken to enter into his service as a deacon. … We have great reason to hope that the gates of heaven will be opened for Ken and that he will be able to see God face to face.”
Ken Murphy was born on September 14, 1941 to Daniel Henry Murphy and Alta Lorrain Bradham in Socorro, N.M. He attended school, including an apprenticeship in carpentry, in Denver, Colo. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962. In 1963, he married Jean Marie Sudtelgte, whom he had met on a blind date. They raised three children: Patricia, Jeffrey and Michael.
The family moved to Salt Lake City in 1978 and later joined St. James the Just Parish, where Ken Murphy was baptized a Catholic in 1982. Later, he joined the diaconate formation program.
“He was very thoughtful of others in the training and after as a deacon, and he worked at being the best deacon possible,” said Deacon Drew Petersen, now director of the diocesan diaconate formation, who went through the formation process with Deacon Murphy. “Jean was the lead; it was a really neat relationship they had.”
After completing formation, Deacon Murphy was ordained at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Jan. 23, 2010 by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City.
“Becoming a deacon will give me the opportunity to serve the Church, the Lord, my fellow Catholics, and people that come to me for information about our faith,” Deacon Murphy said prior to being ordained. “This service will hopefully change others’ hearts as it has mine and bring us all closer to God.”
He served at Saint Mary Parish, West Haven until he retired on April 22, 2013 following a stroke. His wife, Jean, died on September 17, 2017.
“I was surprised he lived this long without Jean; they just loved each other so much,” Fr. Richtsteig said. “…God was with him through all of those times and He sustained him.”
Deacon Murphy is survived by his son Jeff; grandchildren Chaz, Aimee, Halie, Shaylynn and Austin; great-grandchildren Kambrie, Boston, Hunter, Nicholas and Remington. He is also survived by two brothers, and many brothers and sisters-in-laws. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, a brother and sister, daughter Patricia, son Michael and daughter-in-law Michelle.
© Copyright 2024 The Diocese of Salt Lake City. All rights reserved.
Stay Connected With Us