John Elisha Murphy, Jr.

Mr. John Elisha Murphy, Jr. age 94, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Bethel Baptist Church in Sautee Georgia with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Reverend Robert Abernathy will officiate.

John was born June 16, 1931. He was a native of Hall County. He was the son of the late John E. Murphy, Sr. and Annie Caroline Talley. He was also preceded by his loving wife, Ruthelene (Sosebee) Murphy. John was also preceded in death by all of his siblings, Mary Hazel Smith, Bessie Whitlow, Edna McCrary Stover, Marion (Buster) Murphy, Millard (Cricket) Murphy, Paul Murphy, Clarence Murphy and Joseph Murphy. He is also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Ricky Strickland.

John graduated from Sardis School in 1948 and served in the United States Navy. He was a lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church in Sautee. He was retired from Lockheed Martin and following his retirement he continued to work for Ken Byce with whom. they traveled the world together. John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in the garden with his brother Joe.

John is survived by his daughter, Janie Strickland, son and daughter-in-law, John W. and Sharon Murphy; grandchildren, Jennifer Bolick, Jonathan Strickland, Amanda Bryan, Joey Strickland, John Sexton, Joe Murphy, Robbie Murphy; 7 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Elisha Murphy, Jr., please visit our floral store.