Newell Rogers Murphy Jr.

Published 2:57 pm Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Retired Col. Newell Rogers Murphy Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Vicksburg, Mississippi Thursday, April 17, 2025. A proud graduate of Saint Aloysius High School, he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Mississippi Southern College (now Southern Miss) and additional master’s degrees from the University of Alabama and Mississippi State University.

Newell served more than 30 years with the U.S. Army Reserves 412th Engineer Command, retiring at the rank of colonel. He also had a distinguished career at the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, where he retired in 1997 as chief of mobility. He cherished his work and colleagues well beyond retirement.

Raised Catholic, Newell and his wife, Althea, later joined Hawkins United Methodist Church, becoming active members. He loved teaching Sunday School and serving in various roles within the church.

He is survived by his sister, Pat Murphy Millett; his children, Kitty Bridges, Jody Murphy, Rogers “Doodle” Murphy and Carr Murphy Black (Gwain). He was happily married to his wife Althea Barrett Murphy for 52 years before her passing in 2014. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Deb Murphy Forbes; his special son, Brett Holloway; and two grandchildren, Meg Hughes and Ben Leonard.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 23, from 5 until 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 24, from 11 a.m. until noon at Hawkins United Methodist Church, with the service following at noon. Burial will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg. Memorials can be made to Hawkins United Methodist Church or the Methodist Children’s Home of Mississippi.