Thomas Goodwill Murphy, 59, of Edmonds, Washington, died suddenly at Stevens Hospital on July 7, 2009.

Tom was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on March 9, 1950 to Noreen and Robert Murphy. His childhood was spent in Virginia, Florida, and Michigan.

Tom graduated from the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and later completed a Bachelor of Arts from Albion College in Albion, Michigan.

Tom's career spanned almost 35 years in the Yellow Page industry, first with GTE Directories in Michigan, later in the Chicago area, and then with Verizon Corporation in Lynnwood, Washington.

He enjoyed great success in his career and achieved many accolades throughout the years. He worked very hard to create lasting relationships with his customers, knowing that if he could make them more successful with their businesses he would be successful too.
He retired from the Verizon Corporation in 2002 and began a second career in the Yellow Page industry with Dex Media in Bellevue, Washington where he was employed at the time of his death.

Tom enjoyed boating on the waters of Puget Sound with friends and family. His favorite role at home was that of host and chef. He and his wife entertained many friends over the years.

He loved art, music and especially opera; as a couple, Pat and Tom had been season ticket holders of Seattle Opera Theater for close to twenty years. Tom also loved to travel, and with his family visited places such as Europe, Egypt, South Africa, Thailand, China, Tahiti and Argentina. He and his wife most recently enjoyed a trip to Paris to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary and their very significant birthdays.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Pat. Together they had two wonderful children, Sarah, 26, who resides in Los Angeles and Drew, 20, a junior at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is also survived by his devoted mother Noreen Goodwill Murphy of Bothell, Washington.

A private service is being planned by the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Tom's name to the Cranbrook School, Attn: Development Office, PO Box 801, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303.
Arrangements: Beck's Funeral Home, Edmonds, 425-771-1234; share memories with the family at www.becksfuneralhome.com