Obituary: Curtis Ray Murphy

On Saturday, March 10, Curtis Ray Murphy started his journey to the world of Spirit. Throughout his life and then his illness, his partner of 30 years and wife of one month, Evangelina “Pudgie” Eala-Murphy, was by his side. And now, his spirit will always be by hers. We are confident that his favorite dog “Puddles” and many of his fishing buddies were there to greet him and walk him home.

Curtis was an over-the-road trucker who loved camping, boating and fishing with his wife and many friends. He enjoyed teasing everyone and had a wonderful contagious laugh. Large family gatherings were his favorite form of entertainment; he liked to “feel the love.” He touched the heart of everyone he ever met including the ICU staff at Poudre Valley Hospital, where he and Pudgie were married, as well as the incredible staff of Pathways Hospice. Curtis described them all as “angels without wings.” He is and will continue to be missed by all who knew him.

Curtis was born Oct. 8, 1961, in Hanford, California. He and Pudgie relocated to Fort Collins four and a half years ago to be closer to their two daughters: Patty Ann Meek and her husband Steve, and Vickie Lynn Blackwell and her life partner John Kintzley. He is survived by them and grandchildren Chasidy and partner Carlos; Crystal and partner Kelcey; and Steven Meek, Tommy and wife Lisa; and J.J. Howard, as well as two great-grandsons, Zachary and Bryson Howard.

Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Christinia Eala, and her children Christopher Gillespie, Jessica and George Zolliecoffer, Rita Martinez, Mario Diaz and wife Casey; niece Alorha and husband Truman; and brother-in-law Brad French. In California, his mother, Lovida; sisters Carolyn and husband Bill, Cheryl and husband Dan, and Claudette and husband Mike; and many nieces and nephews.

He was honored and remembered with another of the huge family gatherings that he loved so well on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, in the Terry Lake trailer park. Pathways Hospice chaplain Dennis R. Kaz presided.