Clifford "Lynn" Murphy, 73, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2020.A devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, he was described by a dear friend as "kind, gentle, sweet, patient and above all loyal."Truer words were never spoken.

Lynn was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on December 3, 1946, to Fred M. Murphy, Jr. and Vonnie Ladenia Pate Murphy, and graduated from McAllen High School, McAllen, Texas, in 1965.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Susan ("Susie") Myra Schmidt of Mission, Texas, in 1967, he enlisted in the National Guard and served for 6 years. During that time he was promoted to Staff Sergeant, served as the unit's Medic and earned his Expert Badge for Marksmanship.

Following Lynn's completion of a B.S. degree in biology at Pan American University, he began his career in June 1972 as a Park Ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Canyon Lake.Just a month later, his daughter, Christine Alyssa, was born and his life became even richer!

Lynn's first promotion to Lead Ranger with the Corps brought the family to Benbrook Lake/Fort Worth in 1976.Several promotions later, he became the Benbrook Lake Manager in 1988 and remained in that position until he retired in 2006. While in that role, he enjoyed coordinating Boy Scout Jamborees as well as Eagle Scout projects at the lake, working with the gate attendants and with City of Benbrook administrators.He enjoyed occasional rounds of golf with his Corps friends, and, in his younger years, played softball on the Corps 4 team. He was known by his colleagues as a kind and protective leader and friend.

Lynn and Susie enjoyed traveling to new places, both before and after Lynn's retirement.They traveled to many national parks, as well as Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Iceland, New Zealand and Australia. After the birth of their grandson Barron, they attended many school events and spent weekends attending ball games and fossil hunting with Barron and his parents.Lynn was extremely proud of both his daughter and his grandson!

Lynn also loved going to the movies, watching Dallas Cowboys games, birdwatching, weather-watching, bowling, and golfing.He became a certified Master Gardener and obtained his Ham Radio License after attending a weather school.

Preceding Lynn in death were his parents, Fred M. Murphy Jr. and Vonnie Ladenia Pate Murphy-Hooker; and brother, Fred Michael Murphy III.

Lynn is survived by his wife, Susie of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Christine Alyssa and Gary Lyn Hawthorne of Grapevine, Texas; grandson, Barron Alexander Hawthorne; sister and brother-in-law, Melody Ann Alleyn and Dr. Robert Eugene Alleyn, M.D. of Mission, Texas; brother, James Allen Murphy, and his fianc, Melanie Jeanine Ellis, of Fort Worth, Texas; married nieces and nephews, Cyndie Murden, Lori Cantrell, Joey Schmidt, Mike Schmidt, Stacy Kaaki, Tanya Dittberner, Nicky Brashear, Eddie Schmidt, Stephanie Elmore, Alyssa Panozzo, Jimmy Alleyn, and their families, and niece, Olivia Murphy.

The Murphy family invites you to make a donation in Lynn's name to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.