Tom &Quot;Murph&Quot; Murphy

Thomas F. Murphy, age 64, died Wednesday, November 9, 2016 following a traffic accident.

Tom was born in Columbus on September 20, 1952 to Frank and Catherine (Novicki) Murphy, the seventh of eight children. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1970 and was a long time employee of the Union Pacific Railroad until his retirement.

On September 11, 1971 Tom married Rita Tworek and from this 18 year union were born their son Andrew and daughters Kelly and Katherine (Katie). The family made their home in Duncan, Nebraska during this time.

Tom later moved to Columbus where he married Dixie Lampman on March 17, 2006

Tom was a member of St. Isidore Catholic Church and an avid fan of local high school and collegiate football.

Tom naturally excelled at many types of hunting and also in his conservation work as a noted biological technician. Tom also enjoyed community events, appearing in St. Patrick's Day parades billed as Nebraska's Largest Leprechaun. He enjoyed being part of any activity that would end in a great story to retell during the hosting and attending countless social events for friends and relatives with his wife, Dixie.

Tom is survived by his wife, Dixie; Son Andrew and Andrew's wife Vicki Kenney of Amherst and their daughters Monica, Madyssen and Erin ; Daughter Kelly of Beatrice, and Katie (Ben) Garver of Osceola; Dixie's children Heath Lowe, Samantha Spencer, Matthew Johnson and Cale Johnson and grandchildren Olivia and Sebastian.

Tom is also survived by his siblings Jim Murphy of Lexington, Judith Jones of Columbus, Connie Bonk of Columbus, and Patrick Murphy of North Platte. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Rose Marie Christensen, and Robert and Tim Murphy, as well as one granddaughter, Emily Murphy.