Gary Douglas Murphy

Gary Douglas Murphy, 51 Fire Fighter Gary Douglas Murphy, 51, passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2012. Cause pending. Gary was a lifelong resident of Lakeland, Florida, graduating from Lakeland High School in 1979. Gary attended Polk Community College. After a few years of hauling cattle cross-country with H. Murphy Trucking, Gary joined Polk County Fire Rescue in 1983, working for 28 years as a fire fighter and EMT, ultimately obtaining the rank of Captain. As a fire instructor at Ridge Fire Academy, Gary trained hundreds of fire service recruits during his career. Gary received fire fighter of the year honors from the Knights of Columbus in 2010 and retired as a Captain in May, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Renee Fell Murphy, Lakeland; father and mother, Harold and Anne Murphy, Lakeland; brothers Danny (Kathy), Auburndale and Larry (Janet), Lakeland; sister in law Jody Murphy, Lakeland; father and mother in law, Jim and Jeanne Fell, Destin; brothers in law Jimmy (Carolyn) Fell, Niceville, Michael (Keely) Fell, Niceville, and Danny (Rachel) Fell, Atlanta, GA; sister in law, Angie (Dave) Brumfield, St.Louis, MO; as well as a large extended family and his beloved Jack Russell Terriers, Skip and TJ. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 23, 2012 from 3:00 " 5:00 pm. at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am at St. Joseph""s Catholic Church, 210 West Lemon Street, Lakeland. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Gary. Service: 09/24/2012 St. Jospeh\'s Catholic Church 210 W. Lemon Street Lakeland Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 09/23/2012 Heath Funeral Chapel