Paul Bronson Murphy

Paul Bronson Murphy, 88, of Morganton, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Born in Buncombe County, NC on June 24, 1937, he was the son of the late Bronson Murphy and Pearl Mehaffey Murphy.

Paul had the distinction of being the Valedictorian of his class of 1955 at Leicester High School. He received a four-year scholarship to the School of Design at North Carolina State University. After a year there, and deciding against a career in Architecture, he moved to Houston, Texas where he received his BS degree from the University of Houston and became a Mechanical Engineer for a large Oil Well equipment company. During this time, he also served six years in the Army Reserves. While with the Oil company, he was responsible for drawing the plans for the world’s largest pipeline valve, being shipped to the Middle East at that time.

To be near family, he moved back to N.C. in 1967 and accepted a job at American Enka Corporation as a Systems Analyst. He worked five years for Great Lakes Carbon during the seventies and to avoid a move to N.Y. City he accepted a job with Champion International. From there he was transferred to Drexel Furniture, which was a subsidiary of Champion. Over the years he spent a lot of time designing large Mainframe computer systems which were used in plants in North Carolina, Alabama and Texas. He retired from Drexel-Heritage Furnishings, as a Director of Information Services in 2004. He had a great passion for his work and truly enjoyed a fulfilling career. He also enjoyed working with and mentoring younger employees.

He was the ultimate gentleman, always putting others first. He had an unwavering faith in his Lord and was devoted to his family and always tried to set a good example for those he mentored. He tried to stress, that hard work, integrity and honesty was what led to a successful, happy life. Always wise with his words, he was a great role model for his family, who will miss him greatly. He was a former Deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir member of both Burkemont Baptist Church and Mountain Grove Church in Caldwell County. He dearly loved to teach the Bible and spent many hours of research and study, for each lesson.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Leta; sons, Barry Murphy and wife, Crystal, (and step-daughter, Samantha) all of Hickory and Randy Murphy of Valdese.

In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by a brother, Vincent (B.C.) Murphy; and two sisters, Ruby Davis and Ruth White.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Burkemont Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. in the church with Rev. Dr. Eddy Bunton officiating. The cryptside service will follow at 1 p.m. in the mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Candler, NC.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burkemont Baptist Church, 4668 Burkemont Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.