Biography: E. Jack Murphy, 96, of Little Rock passed away peacefully on Nov. 10, 2021 after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and mentor to so many people in his life.

Jack was born in Ladelle in Drew County, AR on Feb 20, 1925 to Marion Murphy and Rena Adcock Murphy. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother; Verdie Murphy Lindsey, and five siblings: Artie Murphy Straughn, Robert Hurley Murphy, Wynona Murphy Turner, Marion Murphy Jr, and Lemane Murphy; his wife of 48 years, Lenora Carter Murphy; and second wife, Peggy Johnson Murphy.

He is survived by wife Andrea Carpenter Murphy, son Dr. Mark Murphy and wife Candy (Treat) Murphy of Little Rock, half-sister Beth Murphy Glover and her husband Larry Glover of Maumelle, half-sister Bobbie Murphy Jeffers of Phillipp Mississippi, half-sister Judy Murphy Hewitt of Monticello, half-brother Wendell Murphy and wife Becky of Louisville KY, sister-in-law Maryann Joy Mott Carter of Menomonee Falls WI, step-daughter Pam Johnson Hooper and her husband Dr Sanford Hooper of Little Rock, step-son Steve Johnson of Little Rock, grandchildren Ross Carter Murphy and Paige Renee Murphy, both of Little Rock, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jack grew up Baptist but has worshipped at Trinity United Methodist of Little Rock for over 60 years. He graduated at age 16 from Drew Central High School in 1941, then joined the Navy in 1943, proudly serving in the Pacific Theatre on the Destroyer USS Meade. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, as Chief Petty Officer. He graduated from the Naval Accounting School and earned a BA degree in Business from San Francisco State University.

In Nov 1945 in San Francisco, he married his sweetheart Anna Lenora Carter, whom he had met shortly after high school. After living in California for eight more years, they moved to Arkansas to be closer to family, settling in Little Rock in 1953. Jack then began a distinguished 30+ year career with the City of Little Rock, serving as Assistant Finance Director, Finance Director, and Treasurer. During his tenure as Finance Director, Jack upgraded Little Rock’s accounting, collecting, purchasing, and budgeting operations, obtained a favorable bond rating, and oversaw tax related bond issues for many city improvements. He worked hard to obtain better pension plans for city employees, especially police and fire fighters. He twice served as Interim City Manager in the 60s and 70s at the request of the City Board of Directors and was proud that he hired some of the city’s first black employees into management positions. He also served many years as State Chairman of the Governmental Finance Officers Association of the US and Canada.

Upon his retirement from the City of LR, he served briefly as a Consultant to the Little Rock Port Authority and was also asked to join the newly established Little Rock Ambulance Authority. This led to a wonderful relationship with the Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS), where he served as Board Member and Chair, Board Member Emeritus, and two stints as Interim Director. Jack was extremely passionate about his work with MEMS and is credited with helping MEMS through management and financial difficulties in the late 80s and early 90s along with civic leader David Jones. He was also instrumental in the 1998 hiring of Col (Ret) Jon Swanson as Executive Director of MEMS, who helped build MEMS into one of the most widely respected EMS systems in the south.  

Jack was an avid outdoorsman and for many years loved deer hunting and trot line fishing on Lake Ouachita. He also loved waterskiing, even into his mid-70s, and jogged into his early 90s! He loved the Razorbacks and attended most LR games for over 30 years.

Arguably, Jack’s greatest passion outside of his family was dancing. He and his first wife Lenora were charter members of the Arkansas Square Dance Hall of Fame. Jack later loved dancing at the Ballroom Latin Swing Club, Bop Club, and American Legion with his second wife Peggy, third wife Andrea, and countless other dance partners. In fact, he was dancing 3 nights a week well into his 90s.

The family would like to thank Dr. Daniel Watson and Lauren Stringer, APRN of Autumn Road Family Practice; Dr Kalyana Koneru, Baptist Health; and Dr Lawrence Mendelsohn, Carti/Baptist Health; and all the nursing and support staff at Baptist Health in Little Rock for their great care and concern during Jack’s recent illness.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 5-7 pm, Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W Markham, LR, 72205. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, November 17, 1:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1101 N Mississippi, LR, 72207. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials go to the MEMS Foundation, PO Box 2452, LR, 72203 or Trinity United Methodist Church. Online obituary and guest book can be found at https://www.ruebelfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ and look for E. Jack Murphy