Joe Murphy

Joseph "Joe" Michael Murphy, 67, Grand Forks, passed away Monday, December 16, 2013 in Grand Forks. Joe, the son of Gerald and Elizabeth (Betty Burckhard) Murphy, was born on May 21, 1946 in Grand Forks, ND. Joe attended schools in Grand Forks and Manvel and graduated from the Northwest Agricultural School in Crookston, MN in 1964. Joe attended the University of North Dakota where he received degrees in 1981 and 1991 that included a Masters in Geography. Joe's thirst for knowledge never ceased throughout his lifetime. Joe had over 20 years of service to the state of North Dakota. Joe retired this past May as the Energy Program Administrator for the Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency through the North Dakota Department of Commerce. In this position, Joe impacted many small communities in regards to renewal energy and aided in the geothermal conversion at Mayville State. Joe had a deep love for UND "Fighting Sioux" sports. He spent 10 years in the press box at UND hockey home games and 25 years in the press box for UND football home games as a statistician. Joe is survived by his brother, Tom (Tes) Murphy, Manvel, ND; sisters, Kathy (Butch) Braaten, Manvel and Karen (Jim) Miller, Renton, WA. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Helen Murphy. Also mourning his death are many close and lifelong friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday, December 19, 2013 in St. Timothy's Catholic Church of Manvel, ND. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks and will continue for the hour before the service in the church.