John Adrain Murphey was born January 4, 1939, in Nocona, Tx., to William S. and Anna Lee Jennings Murphey and passed away December 16, 2023, at Hospice in Wichita Falls, Texas, after a lengthy illness. 

He grew up Northwest of Nocona on the Jennings and Murphey farm in a Christian home attending church at Molsbee Chapel. He was a member of Jean’s Men’s Bible Class and was proud to have been baptized in Springdale, Arkansas, by the renowned Pastor Arnold Murray in September 1991. He attended school in Nocona and went to Dallas in 1955 to attend barber college. He got his barber license in 1956 and barbered there with his own shops. He met his future wife, Fern Jones from Oklahoma, in 1957 who was attending Draughon’s Business College. They married February 21, 1958, then moved to Nocona in 1965. John had been active in many businesses: barber shops, grocery stores, Hilltop Burger Barn, real estate, home construction, antique malls and cattle ranching. He loved his music, especially guitars, passed down to his son, Mark. Jam sessions were common. He was proud to have his two daughters become school teachers and Mark an auctioneer and county commissioner. 

Preceded in death are his parents and sister, Helen Sawyer, and brothers, Billy Ray and Jerry Murphey. 

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Fern, daughters Darla Womack (Jay), Karla Murphey and son Mark Murphey (Lacy). Survived by five grandchildren: Tyler Womack (Brittany), Brandi Womack Wood (Wesley), Shelby Womack (Madilynn), Mason Murphey (Sydney) and Madison Murphey. Survived by five great grandchildren: Lawson Murphey Womack, Parker Renea Wood, Wylie Jay Wood, Bryndle Faye Wood and Beckham Lee Womack. 

Services will be at 2:00 pm Monday, December 18, 2023 with visitation at 1:00 pm prior to services at First United Methodist Church in Nocona. Pallbearers will be Jeff Boutwell, Rowdy Moore, Roger Teague, Bill Murphey, Alan Murphey and Wayne Jacobs with honorary pallbearers Tyler Womack, Shelby Womack, Mason Murphey and Wesley Wood. 

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Hospice of Wichita Falls, Texas, 4400 Cypress, Wichita Falls, Tx. 76310.