Most Worshipful Brother James L. Murphy

Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah 1995

Grand Master Murphy was born in Ely, Nevada, on November 14, 1928, and shortly after moved to Inglewood, California. The family remained in California until he was 3 years old when his parents moved to Morgan, Utah, where they lived for 1-1/2 years before moving to Idaho. Jim attended Public Schools in Hailey, Cascade, Boise, and Pocatello. After moving again to Utah in 1945, Jim graduated from Ogden High School in 1946 and attended Weber State College at the old campus, studying Engineering for 1-1/2 years.

Jim married Helen Driskell January 9, 1948, and to this marriage four children were born; two daughters Patricia and Jamie; and two sons Michael and Dennis.

Jim was employed with Murphy/Neill Electric of Ogden for 41 years as a construction electrician on such projects as Great Salt Lake Minerals and Chemicals, Hill Air Force Base, Pillsbury Mills, Thiokol Corporation, and Western Zirconium.

Grand Master Murphy began his Masonic career as a DeMolay in Ogden Chapter in 1946. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice on November 8, 1951, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on January 24, 1952, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on March 20, 1952 all in Weber Lodge No.6, F. & A.M. in Ogden. He served as Worshipful Master of Weber Lodge in 1982. Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Moffet E. Felkner appointed Jim to the Grand Lodge line as Grand Tyler in 1985. Jim served in the offices of Senior Grand Steward, Junior and Senior Grand Deacon, Grand Chaplain, Grand Pursuivant, Grand Lecturer, and in 1992 was elected Junior Grand Warden.

Further activity in Masonry for Grand Master Murphy continued when he was Exalted a member of Ogden Chapter No.2 Royal Arch Masons, Greeted in Ogden Council No.3 Cryptic Masons and Knighted in EI Monte Commandery No.2 Knights Templar. In 1976 he was elevated to the 32nd degree as a member of the Valley of Salt Lake, Orient of Utah Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He was created a Noble of The Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in August 1973 and presented with a Grand Master's Fez at the February 1995 Shrine meeting.

In 1994 Grand Master Murphy received the DeMolay Legion of Honor (Active) of which he is very proud.

Most Worshipful Grand Master Murphy was appointed a 3-year Trustee to the George Washington National Memorial. A Utah appointment has not occurred since 1985.

His response to all of this was "I'm honored and most proud to be a Utah Mason."

Electronically Transcribed as written without corrections to grammar or spelling by Aaron E. Saathoff, P.M., March, 2005.