Kenneth E. Murphy

Kenneth E. Murphy, Jr., 63, of Colfax, died Friday, September 9, 2011 at his home. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Colfax. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at Coburn Funeral Home of Colfax from 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Colfax Fire Department or Colfax Little League. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.


The son of Kenneth E. and Donna Jean (Templeton) Murphy Sr., Kenneth Eugene Murphy Jr. was born on June 17, 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa. Ken was a graduate of Ankeny High School, Class of 1967. Ken was united in marriage with Sandra Sue Wadsworth on February 16, 1974 at the First Baptist Church of Colfax. Ken spent time as a care giver for the mentally handicap and worked at McDonalds until he retired. Ken was an A.S.A. certified umpire and he coached men's and girl's softball. He coached both Babe Ruth and Little League. He had great joy watching his kids play sports and eventually watching his grandchildren. Ken enjoyed the Knoxville Raceway and going to Iowa Cubs games. He was a huge Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. Ken attended First Baptist Church of Colfax.

Those left to honor Kenneth's memory are his three children: Steven Ray Murphy (Ruthie Hefley) of Colfax; Shaun Michael Murphy of Des Moines and Sharon Kay Murphy of Des Moines; wife, Sandra Sue Murphy of Bondurant; four grandchildren: Mackenzie, Georgia, Trenton, and Brenton; sister, Vicki Ann (Neil Steven) Ridgway of California and two nephews: Stoney Ridgway and Joey Ridgway, both of California. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Sharon Kay Murphy.