Cecil Murphy

Cecil Murphy passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones at the age of 80 on Sunday November 5th, 2023 at Iowa Methodist Hospital near his home in Des Moines, Iowa. It was the the end of much endurance through treatments and a long series of triumphs over ailments known to end life much sooner. Cecil came from small, humble beginnings but was quickly thrust on the world stage in perhaps the most controversial time in 20th century American history. Whereas he survived and returned seemingly in good health at the time, the veteran would later face severe diseases stemming from an unravelling travesty of that unsettling time. Despite this, Cecil led a full life- he became a successful professional, he raised a loving, close family; he was a youth sports coach, played the piano and sang, and he learned from his life experiences and enlightened many of us with his compassion and the need to figure out what's important.

Cecil grew up on a farm in Coleharbor, North Dakota, the son of a first generation Irish American father (also Cecil) and Norwegian American mother (Esther) with sister Celeste and brothers John and Patrick. The family shared classical musical talent and Cecil learned to play the piano and sing. In high school, Cecil played basketball for coach Dale Brown (later LSU coach) against Phil Jackson as a player (Bulls head coach).

Cecil planned to work for one of his father's budding businesses such as the insurance company as he attended college at Minot State, but in the summer of 1966, Cecil was drafted into the Army with just a couple of classes remaining. His life took an abrupt turn as did so many at that pivotal time. He served '67 and '68 in the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta surveying for artillery and was exposed to many immediate dangers of course, but also severe PTSD, a bout with malaria, and a long term danger as well.

Upon his honorable discharge, Cecil returned home hoping to work for his father in a key position but it was at this time, hostilities developed on the board and the entire insurance business was lost. With little going, he took a chance on a blind date, attending a Mankato State football game with a friend and meeting his future wife of 51 years, Donna.

The couple toyed with several ventures in the 70's and Cecil overcame the severe PTSD with the help of Donna. Later, while Cecil was working for the Ice-capades in Chicago, daughter Cassie and son Sean were born. As they decided that the big city was not the best for raising children, Cecil took a chance on a new career in legal administration in Des Moines, Iowa. A short time after, he found his professional calling and would remain Legal administrator for the large and prominent Ahlers Law Firm until retirement in 2008.

During his career, Cecil excelled at both job and family duties. His youngest child, son Daniel was born in 1986. Cecil passed on his musical lineage to daughter Cassie, and he also became passionate about athletics and coached sons Sean and Dan in baseball, basketball, and football. He became a marathon runner with lawyers at the office as the phenomenon of distance running in Nikes caught popularity. Cecil took the family up north to Minnesota to go fishing on Leech Lake every summer for one week with Donna's family- although hard to guess, this would eventually become his chosen retirement destination from all of the good times and secluded peace on the water surrounded by woods.

Cecil lived modestly having saved for college educations and one day, retirement. Just into his golden years, a barrage of health issues suddenly went off as if many timebombs had been set sequentially decades earlier. Over time, it became apparent that Cecil was likely suffering from exposure to Agent Orange used in Vietnam during his time and in his deployment area; he experienced nearly every symptom and disease associated with the chemical. In fact the recurrent throat cancer was supposed to have taken Cecil by 2015, but monumental efforts by daughter Cassie got him into an experimental clinical trial at the University of Chicago Hospital. Not only did he survive, but he relearned how to speak with a prosthesis remarkably well. Wife Donna provided relentless and constant loving support all throughout the subsequent ailments until the very end. Cecil got to spend many more years with his five grandchildren than was ever thought possible - three of them were born after the throat cancer diagnosis. He passed on his compassion for others less fortunate, and the idea to think about both sides of issues. He made peace with his country and the military; even after such controversial times and profound effects on him personally, he remarked that the United States as the leader of the free world should defend other nations whose liberties and freedoms are under attack, at this day in age especially. He taught us all to think for ourselves, to understand what is going on in the world, to be skeptical and critical, to befriend people regardless of race, religion or preference, to strive to do your job and to not take unnecessary risks. And now you can start to understand why he will be so sadly missed by all of those who knew him.

Thank you to the teams of doctors and nurses at University of Chicago Hospital, Iowa Methodist, and to you for reading.

In lieu of flowers, send contribution to Iowa PBS, P.O. Box 6400, Johnston, IA 50131.