Ret. Col. Bruce Allen Murphy Obituary

Retired Colonel Bruce Allen Murphy, age 69, of Winfield, TN, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Born May 25, 1957 in Oneida, Scott County, TN, he was the son of the late Brent and Edna Musgrove Murphy.

In addition to his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by his first wife: Kathleen Tuttle Murphy; fathers and mothers-in-law: Bud and Ruth Tuttle, and Jack and Jo Chitwood; grandparents: Luther and Eva Perkins Murphy, and William Riley and Hattie Jones Musgrove; special uncle who was raised as a brother: Sherrill and wife Stella Gibson Murphy; and special aunt Barbara Vahle.

Bruce is survived by his wife: Jerri West Murphy; special nephew: Lawrence Eddie Stephens; step-children: Jessica (Jared) Blevins, Jackie (Jared) Sexton; grandchildren: Ryder Sexton (Karmyn), Josie Sexton, Brock Blevins, Evan (Bailee) Stephens, Riley Stephens, Ben Sexton, Blake Clark, Jack and Charlee Blevins, unborn great grandchild: Maverick Sexton; sister: Eydie and John West; brother-in-law: Joey (Jill) Chitwood; nephew: Micah (Alyssa) Chitwood; and other family members and a host of friends.

Bruce was a member of Silerville United Baptist Church in Strunk, KY, and a 1975 Pine Knot High School Salutatorian. He was a 1979 Eastern Kentucky Graduate, and later graduated in 1990 from the University of KY.

Bruce served as the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for Commonwealth of KY, Commander 1st Brigade 100th Div. and Jr. ROTC Instructor of Southwestern High School in Somerset, KY.

Also, he proudly served in the U.S. Army from May of 1977 in a variety of positions in Somerset, Corbin, Lexington and Frankfort, KY until his retirement in June of 2009. Over the course of his distinguished military career, he rose through the ranks to achieve the rank of Colonel, exemplifying exceptional leadership, dedication and service to his country.

He served as the Deputy County Judge in Barbourville and Whitley City, KY. He took great pride in serving his community in the Pine Knot Kiwanis Club, Pine Knot Manor Apts., the American Legion Post 115, McCreary Chamber of Commerce, Human Resource Development Foundation, Educational Development Foundation, Improvement Corporation, Heritage Foundation, Forest Industries Assoc, McCreary County Airport Board, Scott-McCreary Area Revitalization Team, Lake Cumberland Area Development, Community Action Agency, District Health Dept., McCreary and Knox Co. Pride Coordinator, Southeast KY Regional Industrial Development Authority, KY Industrial Development Committee, Governors Education Pay Task Force, and Resource Officers Assoc.

Friends may visit with the Murphy family on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home. Music will be provided by Jamie and Toni Byrd.

Burial will follow in the Pine Knot Cemetery in Pine Knot, McCreary Co., KY with full Military Honors.

Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of Retired Colonel Bruce Allen Murphy.

Obituary courtesy of Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.