Dr. John F. “Jack” Murphy, 88, Boone, Iowa
BOONE, Iowa—Dr. John F. “Jack” Murphy, 88, died on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Westhaven Community in Boone, Iowa. Jack was born on April 26, 1937, in Dundee, Illinois, and moved with his family to Terril, Iowa, in the spring of 1951. He graduated from Terril Consolidated High School. In 1958, he was united in marriage to Judith Cook, also of Terril.
Following medical school at the University of Iowa and a rotating internship at Broadlawns Hospital, Jack served four years in the Navy, two years as a flight surgeon aboard the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War. He then returned to Iowa to practice family medicine and worked as an anesthetist at the Boone County Hospital, where he practiced for 40 years, until his retirement in 2010.
He served as an assistant clinical professor of family medicine through the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Many students from the U of I and residents from the Broadlawns Family Practice program completed four- and six-week rotations with him and his wife, Judy, over the years of his practice.
He was a member of the Boone Hospital Medical Staff and served as chief of staff four times. He was devoted to his patients, many of whom he served for decades. He was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone, past president of the Boone Chamber of Commerce, a Boone City Parks Commissioner, and past president of the Boone Lions Club.
Jack enjoyed tennis, skiing, and golf. He was an avid reader. He was forever in love with his wonderful life partner, Judy, and very proud of his three sons and his two grandchildren. Jack was known for many years as the Johnny Appleseed of Boone and led a corps of volunteers that planted over 9000 trees in public places in Boone during those years.
He is survived by his wife, Judy; three sons: Michael Joseph (Shelly) of Buckeye, AZ, Thomas Edward (Laurel) of Las Vegas, NV, and John Daniel (Carla) of Ames, Iowa; two grandchildren, Erin Laura and Daniel LaVern Murphy of Ames, IA; as well as a niece and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James L. Murphy of Runnells, IA; his sister, Patricia Murphy Coleman of Hinsdale, IL; and his parents, Joseph C. Murphy and Josephine Daugherty Murphy of Terril, IA, both originally of Sullivan, IL.
A private family graveside service will be scheduled at a later time. While he requested there be no local service or flowers, he would be honored by memorial contributions made in his name to the Boone County Hospital Foundation or the Boone City Parks Foundation.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone is in charge of the arrangements.
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