January 1, 1941 ~ February 25, 2010

Rolland (Ron) Thomas Murphy, 69, of Lehi, Utah passed away Thursday, February 25, 2010.  Rolland was born January 1, 1941 in McCrory, Arkansas to Rolly Buck and Johnnie Wessie Jones Murphy.  He married Carla June Anderson on August 31, 1979, in Concord, California.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Provo Utah LDS Temple.

Rolland grew up in rural Arkansas, the eighth of nine children.   He attended high school in McCrory and played on the high school football team.  After high school, Ron joined the U. S. Navy and served for three years.  Rolland pursued the restaurant business and owned his own diner in Lehi, Utah named “Ron’s Diner”.  He later worked at the Utah State Developmental Center in American Fork, Utah as a Kitchen Cook.  Rolland could make bread like a bakery and was known to cater weddings and other events. 

He was loved by his in-laws like a son and brother. His many family members will miss his sense of humor and loving nature (despite his feisty side!).

He is survived by his wife Carla, Lehi; Betty Pierce, Plant City, Florida, (with whom he was very close) and many loving extended family in southern states, California, and Utah.

 Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Lehi Chapel Valley Third Ward Building, 600 South 500 West, Lehi where friends and family may call for a viewing one hour prior to services.  Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary, Pleasant Grove.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com. 

Condolences (6)

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Marian Pefley said:

Rest in peace, Rolland. I hope you find a better place.

February 26, 2010

Sandra Faughn (Sandy Junior) said:

My brothers, our children and myself all adored "Uncle Rolland". He was always our favorite and much loved uncle. Even though we only saw him once a year when we were growing up and then less often in the later years, he has always had a special place in our hearts. Even my grandchildren have fond and loving memories of his visits here in Arkansas. My favorite memory is of him pulling into our driveway on one of his visits home and picking us up and then going around and gathering all of the neices and nephews together so he could spend time with all of us. He made us all feel special and he was very special to us.

February 27, 2010

Charles "Rickey" & Sue King said:

Rolland was more like a brother to me than a cousin growing up in Arkansas. Though life was hard there in Arkansas having Rolland and his brother Wallace to share childhood adventures with like exploring the deep woods, swinging from grapevines like Tarzan, with Wallace taking the part of Cheetah Tarzan's loyal chimp, made it every boys paradise. Rains in Arkansas flooded fields giving us the opportunity of creating our own rafts by lashing together six or seven logs and off we would sail into whatever movie inspired adventure we could find or create. Being an only boy with three older sisters made having male cousins very important. I remember that Rolland loved to watch American Bandstand and would have everyone up and dancing vibrating the whole house. Rolland loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor about life. I was so happy for Rolland that he had married Carla, and most of all that he excepted the plan of salvation and chose to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Rolland knew and I know that this time on earth is just a probationary time and that all those who except the plan of salvation will meet again as family in Heavenly Father's kingdom. Until we meet again, cousin. Our love to you Carla. Love, Rickey and Sue King

February 27, 2010

Charles and Barbara Pefley said:

We were saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of our friend and cousin Rolland. We had common interests and spent many happy hours visiting with him and Carla and their family. Carla, if we can help in any way now or in the future let us know.

February 28, 2010

Jackie Taylor said:

Though I never met Uncle Rolland I feel as if know him. I have been married to his nephew, Butch Taylor, Betty Pierce's son, for 32 years. Butch has always spoken highly of his uncle. Butch has lots of memories of growing up in Arkansas for part of his life and has shared them with me. Over the years we send a Christmas card and try to enclose pictures of our family and Uncle Rolland and Carla did the same. We are so very sorry for your loss and are just so glad to know that now he is in no more pain and in a better place and we will all see him again one day.

March 01, 2010

marcy pefley said:

Carla, he will be missed. He was the sweetest man I ever knew! Marcy

March 02, 2010