Carl Murphy

Wade “Carl” Carlyle Murphy III, 77, of Duncan, SC—a devoted husband, father, craftsman, and advocate for others—passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025. A Life of Purpose A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the son of the late Wade C. Murphy Jr. and Christine Eloise Tyndall Murphy, Carl lived a life rooted in purpose, service, and love. He was devoted to God, his beloved wife Carol, his children, and—as anyone who knew him could attest—the Atlanta Braves. He is survived by his wife, Carol Zirbs Murphy of the home; his daughter, Catherine S. Murphy of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; his son, Scott C. Murphy (Jamie) of Greenville, South Carolina; his brother, Mike Murphy of Wade, North Carolina; and his sister, Janice C. Murphy of Kent, Ohio. Passions and Talents A man of many gifts, Carl’s first lifelong passion—photography—began as a young man, when he served as the lead photographer for The Foghorn, the student publication at the University of Alaska. He later earned a degree in Sociology from the University of San Francisco, drawn to a calling to help others. That calling took him across the country to East Carolina University, where he earned a master’s degree—and met the love of his life, Carol. Carl enjoyed capturing the beauty of the world through a camera lens and took special joy in documenting family life in photographs. His second passion—woodworking—began with the birth of his first child. His first project was a walnut swinging cradle, followed three years later by a handcrafted rocking horse. His final creations, completed before his illness, were a testament to both his craftsmanship and his love for family: custom cherry kitchen cabinets and a stunning queen-sized walnut canopy bed with matching side tables. When not in his workshop or behind the lens, Carl could be found cheering on the Braves, reading newspapers or a good book, exploring museums and galleries, or enjoying live music and the arts with his family. A Legacy of Service Carl’s career in vocational rehabilitation was a natural extension of his generous spirit. He was honored three times by the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation with the “Case of the Year” award, in recognition of his success in helping severely disabled clients return to meaningful work. These honors reflected his unwavering belief in the dignity, worth, and potential of every person he served. A lifelong learner, Carl believed deeply in the power of education and modeled that belief for his children. He took great pride in their academic achievements—especially that both earned master’s degrees, and his daughter went on to complete an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.). Carl leaves behind a legacy of love, craftsmanship, humility, and hope. His steady hands built more than furniture—they built a life filled with meaning. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew and loved him. Gratitude The family extends heartfelt thanks to Lesha Tucker, Carl’s devoted caregiver from First Light Caregivers of Greenville, who came without fail every day and became a much-loved member of the family. Deep gratitude also goes to the Greenville VA Homebound Primary Care team, and to Drs. Victoria Arlauskas, Sandip Jain, and Farhan Siddiqui, who compassionately supported Carl throughout his long illness. Service Details A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 28, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary Chapel, with military honors conducted by Rev. Joanne Hull. Webcasting of the service will be available at www.thewoodmortuary.com. Visitation will take place from 9:30 to 10:45 AM, prior to the service. The family will be at their respective homes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: GBS/CIDP Foundation International 375 East Elm Street, Suite 101 Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 The GBS/CIDP Foundation International supports research and services related to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). Online condolences may be shared at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Carl Murphy

October 1, 1947 - June 22, 2025