James D. "Jim" Murphy

James D. Murphy, 86, of Omaha, Nebraska, formerly of Lexington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at his home at the Maple Ridge Retirement Community in Omaha.

James was born on December 23, 1934 in Columbus, Nebraska to Frank and Catherine (Novicki) Murphy, the second of eight children. He received his education from Columbus High Schools and graduated from Columbus High School with the class of 1953. He then pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where he earned a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska and became co-captain of the Football team. He graduated from UNL in 1957.

He married the love of his life, Ann Kiffin, on December 28, 1957 in Lexington, Nebraska and was commissioned into the U. S. Army where he completed Airborne and Army Ranger training while stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. Jim then returned to the Nebraska National Guard as the commander and served in the unit for 28 years.

Ann and Jim made their home in Lexington in 1961 where Jim became co-owner with Monte Kiffin in the Kiffin-Murphy Agency. He and Ann were members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

He created lifetime memories with his family which included dancing with his wife, Ann, golf, football, hunting and horse-racing. He loved spending time with his grand-children and teaching them how to play cribbage.

Survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann of Omaha; sons, James (Cherri) Murphy of Lincoln and Dan (Michelle) Murphy of Denver, Colorado; daughters, Helen (Bob) Schlotfeld of Omaha and Liz Murphy of Denver, Colorado; as well as his nine grandchildren, Lauren, Paige, Patrick, Molly, Matt, Sarah, Madeline, Mimi and Jack; step-grandchildren, Emily and Eric Nielsen and Natalie Kissner;. Jim is also survived by his siblings, Judith Jones and Connie Bonk of Columbus and Patrick Murphy of North Platte.

James was preceded in death by his son, Joseph; siblings, Rose Marie Christensen, Robert, Tom and Tim Murphy; daughter-in-law, Suzie Murphy.

Mass Of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Father Matt Koperski, officiating. The Mass will be livestreamed via the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home Facebook page.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from 5-7 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington.

Burial with Military Honors will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Lakeside Country Club.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com