John Murphy Obituary
Published April 27, 1995
Arizona Daily Star


A memorial service will be held Saturday for John B. Murphy, an architect and founding member of the People With AIDS Coalition of Tucson, who died April 14 from complications of AIDS. He was 43.

The service will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Francis in the Foothills church, 4625 E. River Road.

Murphy was a volunteer with the Tucson AIDS Project even before learning he was infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in 1988. He then became an active member of the newly formed People With AIDS Coalition of Tucson.

He served as treasurer and president of the coalition, and was one of the organizers of its annual Christmas fund-raiser, the Festival for Life. A longtime fan of the Supremes, he succeeded in bringing singer Mary Wilson to the festival three times.

Murphy ``was an embodiment of someone who was living well with HIV for a long time, and who was very self-empowered,'' Jerome Beillard, director of the People With AIDS ! Coalition, said yesterday.

Murphy also was known for his architectural design work, particularly of custom homes in Tucson and in Northern California. He formed his own firm, Valley Design Associates, in 1979.

Murphy's interest in architecture was nearly lifelong, his sister, Maureen Murphy, said yesterday. He was 14 when he designed the house his parents still live in, she said.

Murphy was devoted to historic preservation, and helped form the Pie Allen Neighborhood Association of homeowners living west of the University of Arizona.

Murphy was born in Detroit, but the family moved to Tucson when he was a few months old. After graduating from Catalina High School, he attended the University of Arizona.

In addition to his sister Maureen, Murphy is survived by his parents, Roland and Mary Murphy of Tucson, and a second sister, Kathleen Brown of Glendale.

The family suggests that donations in Murphy's name be made to the People With AIDS Coalition of Tucson or the Tucson AIDS Project.

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