Paul Michael Murphy

Paul Michael Murphy, 86, passed away on March 29, 2024, in Kalispell. Paul was born March 28, 1938, to Raymond Daniel and Ella Murphy in Minot, North Dakota. In 1947 the family moved to the Flathead Valley. Paul helped his dad with odd jobs and with the Murphy Mobilgas Station in Columbia Falls for several years.

Paul proudly joined the US Army in 1960 and received medals for his sharpshooting. He helped survey and map the Sahara Desert in Libya. Many of his stories revolved around that time spent with his army buddies. Paul enjoyed a summer spotting for fires at Spotted Bear Lookout and was proud of his time working with the gandy dancers laying tracks for the Great Northern Railroad. Paul married Diana Holmquist and raised three children in Columbia Falls while employed at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant for 35 years, working in the pot lines, the rod mill, and the warehouse before retiring. After retiring he worked for 15 years as a fire investigation technician.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, and sailing. Paul spent countless hours listening to Country Over Easy while casting his own bullets and reloading ammunition for his many firearms. He taught all three of his children to shoot and hunt. Gopher shooting was a favorite pastime. Many seasons were spent with family and close friends hunting for big game both locally and on the east side of Montana. He realized his dream of hunting big game in South Africa and Alaska with his son Dan. They also fished for tuna off the coast of Mexico. The memories and animal trophies he amassed over his lifetime of hunting was impressive. The family spent much time camping at local lakes and canoeing on the Flathead River and the Missouri. Canoe jumping was a favorite summer pastime. Great memories were made while tent camping all the way to Alaska, as well as to the Oregon Coast and the Grand Canyon. The family also spent hours on end sailing Flathead Lake and sailing through the San Juan Islands of Washington.

Paul was a founding member of the North Valley Sportsman’s Club, developing the shooting range just north of Columbia Falls. He also was a volunteer for the Columbia Falls Fire Department, helping his community for 23 years and ending as a captain. With his background in shooting, Paul taught Hunter’s Education in Columbia Falls for over 50 years, often teaching children and grandchildren of former students. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, helping especially with the firewood for the needy program there.

Paul didn’t live life hiding under the bed. He was a true adventurist. Paul was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Ella Murphy, his wife Jean Murphy, his brother Patrick Murphy, and the mother of his children Diana Holmquist DuMontier. He is survived by his sister Marge Johns, and his children Debra Cox (Jim), Barbara Handy (Shawn), and Daniel Murphy (Rebecca), along with six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

A funeral mass for Paul will be celebrated at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls on April 12th at 3:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at White Raven Winery from 3-6:00 p.m. on April 19th. If you felt close to Paul you are welcome to join the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a Go Fund Me account to benefit the Columbia Falls section of Hunter Education at https://gofund.me/95cbc7f8 .

To send online condolences please visit www.columbiamortuary.com. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.

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