George T. Murphey

George T. Murphey, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 in Greencastle.

George is survived by his wife of more than 68 years, Elizabeth Stovall. They were married on Oct. 23, 1948.

George and Elizabeth have three children, Susan (predeceased in 1992), Michael (wife Debbie and children Dathan and Jennifer, Vero Beach, Fla.), and David (wife Cristina and grandson, Jake, Austin, Texas).

George was born on a farm near Mayfield, Ky., on April 10, 1928.

After graduating from Mayfield High School in 1945, George volunteered in the U.S. Army. He attended the University of West Virginia and the University of Illinois in the Army Specialized Training Program. He received basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and received an honorable discharge in October 1946.

George went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Murray State University in 1948 and graduate studies at the University of Kentucky.

After college graduation, George taught vocational agriculture at three different high schools in Kentucky. He went on to work at the Atomic Energy Plant located near Paducah, Ky., for three years prior to beginning his career with the USDA, Soil Conversation Services (SGS) in 1955 in Princeton, Ind. The SGS transferred George to Covington, Ind., for two years and then finally to Putnam County in 1957 where he would work for 27 years prior to his retirement in 1985.

George's retirement from the SGS was just the beginning of a second career and numerous volunteer activities. George went on to be a farm manager for farms in Central Indiana; an agricultural consultant for a number of local banks, and a consultant for conservancy districts throughout Indiana.

George was very involved and giving to his community. He served as president of the Association of Conservancy Districts, president of Greencastle Little League Baseball and treasurer of the Greencastle Rotary Club. He was the treasurer of the Putnam County Community Foundation, member of the Putnam County Election Board, treasurer of the Putnam County Democrat Central Committee and a member of the Greencastle Board of Works for more than nine years.

He and Elizabeth were active members of the First Baptist Church for more than 50 years.

For all of his tireless efforts in the community, George received the Friend of the Farmer award from the Putnam County Farm Bureau in 1996 and the Distinguished Hoosier Award from Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2005.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 (visitation will be open at 11 a.m.) at Bittles and Hurt, 602 E. Washington St., Greencastle.

Afterward, please join the family for a reception at the First Baptist Church at 404 Judson Dr., Greencastle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Putnam County Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the Putnam County Community Foundation.