Murphy to celebrate 90th birthday with open house

The family of Gary Murphy would like to invite the community to a drop-in Open House on Saturday, Aug. 2, to celebrate his upcoming 90th birthday. Dessert will be served, and guests are invited to stop by anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Marr Park Conservation Education Center at 2943 Highway 92, Ainsworth, IA. Cards may also be sent to 1617 North Marion, Washington, IA 52353.

Gary has spent his entire life in the area. He was born in Haskins, IA, grew up on a farm in Cotter, IA, spent his early years at a country school, and graduated from Cotter High School. He attended college at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant, IA. Following graduation, he taught physical education and social studies, while also coaching, for the Mid-Prairie School District, Ames School District, and then the Washington Community Schools. After earning his Master of Education from the University of Iowa, he spent most of his career as an Elementary Administrator in Brighton, IA, and Washington, IA. He also briefly worked in sales for the McCleery-Cumming Calendar Company.

Traveling has been an important part of his life, starting as an exchange student to New Zealand through IFYE, a program which led him to meet his wife, Karen, with whom he was married for fifty-four years. They raised three children: Derek Murphy (Dorrie), Bettendorf, IA; Janelle Menzia-Murphy (Jess), Portland, Ore.; and Matt Murphy (Sylvia), Atlanta, GA. He is also a proud Pop Pops to seven grandchildren.

Other interests include sharing his menagerie of animals at the edge of town, serving as an active Rotarian, attending circuses, clowning around himself under the name of Bandana the Clown, and enjoying his favorite community of Washington.