Randy Murphy

Randy George Murphy

Sept.18, 1946 – May 24, 2025

US Navy 1968-72

A devoted practitioner of golf and classical architecture, in that order, Randy Murphy passed away at dawn on Saturday in Larchmont NY after a valiant battle against brain cancer. While he was proud of his one-time four handicap and enjoyed the camaraderie of golfers wherever in the world he played, Randy was even more gratified by his life’s work as an architect with Cromwell Architects/Engineers. For over 30 years, he applied his talent and extensive knowledge of classical architecture to designing monumental buildings in Little Rock and beyond, including Immanuel Baptist Church, the Arkansas Supreme Court, Central Methodist Church of Rogers and the expansions of Pulaski Heights Methodist and Central Methodist of Fayetteville.

Randy was a fiercely competitive, lifelong athlete, using that determination and strength every day of his life. He was also unabashedly joyful, as was most evident in the fully returned love of his devoted dog, Weebie, who stayed by his side during his 2007 battle with lung cancer and broke his heart when she died in 2011.

In his final months, he welcomed messages from his aunt, Betty Murphy, his brother Roger and enjoyed visits from his sons, Henry and Sam, his nephew, Adam, and his grandchildren, Sarah and Niko. He was touched by Sam’s energetic efforts to improve his room. Throughout his last months, Randy was steadfastly buoyed by his cousin Pat Bischof, his longtime architect/Lake Ouachita friends: Robin Borne, Ross McCain, Gordon Duckworth, Gene Terry and his fellow USN veteran and golfing buddy in Larchmont, Tom Dufficy. A highlight of these hospice months was visits from Melissa with twice-weekly flowers and donuts. She persevered in getting him outside to enjoy Spring days, which delighted him and brought a twinkle to his beautiful blue eyes. Randy cried with gratitude for the many prayers lifted for him by the extended Murphy and Bischof families in Hot Springs and by his friends at PS61 in the Bronx, who never gave up on him after the discovery of the brain tumor in 2023 and the extensive treatment that followed.

In everything, he lead with heart and good cheer. That love was generously returned to him by many. Confident that God had guided their paths over the past 32 years, Randy’s last words were whispered to Jackie on Thursday: “thank you”. Randy Murphy left this life smiling with a grateful heart sure of the peace and love awaiting him in the next. Godspeed, my sweet, brave husband.

Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel of New Rochelle is in charge of arrangements. Randy will be cremated at Woodlawn Cemetery Crematory on Wednesday afternoon with a simple prayer service in the Woolworth Chapel. Thank you to everyone who loved Randy. I apologize if I overlooked mention in this, but I assure you that he was grateful for all messages and pictures. Thank you for those tokens of love. Jackie Murphy