OK OK - Stephen “Steve” Lee Murphy, last seen in Claremore sometime in 1976, not reported missing until July 2022

[Snoangel26]

“sons, … Stephen Lee Murphy …” (BBM)

Did they misspell or …??

The obituary is how I found Stephen's siblings.

 

[Snoangel26]

That's how it's spelled in Namus.

I've been looking at both spellings.

On my birth certificate it's STEPHEN LEE MURPHY.

 

[Snoangel26]

SLM in Alabama has quite a resemblance--but more like a family resemblance than individual. He's why I asked about family connections to Alabama.

I don't know about connections to Alabama, but it's possible. I do know that Stephen was born in Oklahoma

 

[Richard]

Besides the National Military Personnel Command, there are a number of other places where you might try to obtain records on him. Bits of information are contained in every type of record, and you might be able to gather clues which will point to other paths to search.

You have your birth certificate, so try to obtain HIS birth certificate, marriage license, etc.

The Veterans Affairs Office (previously known as the Veterans Administration) might have a file on him if he ever applied for any kind of VA benefits, such as a home loan, GI Bill education, medical, etc. This is totally separate from the NMPC.

The state Adjutant General office might have a list of service members from his state.

Local newspapers often had a service members page which would publish stories about local service men and women being promoted, transferring, or their involvement in noteworthy events. Back during WW II, Korean War, and Vietnam eras, they would print lists of men being drafted and sent off to training. You can search old newspapers on line and in libraries on microfilm.

Even today, men at age 18 are required to register for the draft. Perhaps Draft board records would have when he entered the service, as that would change his draft classification and take him out of the pool of those eligible to be drafted.

 

[Snoangel26]

Besides the National Military Personnel Command, there are a number of other places where you might try to obtain records on him. Bits of information are contained in every type of record, and you might be able to gather clues which will point to other paths to search.

You have your birth certificate, so try to obtain HIS birth certificate, marriage license, etc.

The Veterans Affairs Office (previously known as the Veterans Administration) might have a file on him if he ever applied for any kind of VA benefits, such as a home loan, GI Bill education, medical, etc. This is totally separate from the NMPC.

The state Adjutant General office might have a list of service members from his state.

Local newspapers often had a service members page which would publish stories about local service men and women being promoted, transferring, or their involvement in noteworthy events. Back during WW II, Korean War, and Vietnam eras, they would print lists of men being drafted and sent off to training. You can search old newspapers on line and in libraries on microfilm.

Even today, men at age 18 are required to register for the draft. Perhaps Draft board records would have when he entered the service, as that would change his draft classification and take him out of the pool of those eligible to be drafted.

I tried to obtain his birth certificate, I wasn't able to get it since I'm not sure if he is alive or dead. I have the marriage license. Plus the divorce file. I tried searching newspapers and there was nothing listed about him at all.

 

[carbuff]

On my birth certificate it's STEPHEN LEE MURPHY.

I asked the mods to correct the title. I've been looking at both spellings because it's so common to mis-spell it. One of my offspring is a Steven; his record at the pediatrician's is still spelled "Stephen" despite me trying to correct it every time we went in

 

[Snoangel26]

I asked the mods to correct the title. I've been looking at both spellings because it's so common to mis-spell it. One of my offspring is a Steven; his record at the pediatrician's is still spelled "Stephen" despite me trying to correct it every time we went in

Misspelling some names makes it difficult sometimes. At this point it wouldn't surprise me if he changed the spelling or even changed his name. Seems like he just fell off the earth.

 

[carbuff]

Misspelling some names makes it difficult sometimes. At this point it wouldn't surprise me if he changed the spelling or even changed his name. Seems like he just fell off the earth.

Do you know if he was musically inclined, or interested in cars, or theater, or math, or anything in particular that might be a clue to what he might have done after his discharge?

 

[Snoangel26]

Do you know if he was musically inclined, or interested in cars, or theater, or math, or anything in particular that might be a clue to what he might have done after his discharge?

In junior high he took Tae Kwon Do classes. And had something to do with backstage for theater. In high school he belonged to chess club and was in DECA. In one of his classes they had to bring a book to read and he brought his Bible. He also signed someone's year book as STEVE (THE MAGNIFICENT) MURPHY.

 

[ssnva1]

How in the world can a detective find his service records (the dates he served, discharged and the reason) but the military can’t?? Bizarre. Hope you get answers soon.

 

[Snoangel26]

How in the world can a detective find his service records (the dates he served, discharged and the reason) but the military can’t?? Bizarre. Hope you get answers soon.

I agree. Something is very strange. And I haven't heard back from the detective since beginning of September.

 

[carbuff]

In junior high he took Tae Kwon Do classes. And had something to do with backstage for theater. In high school he belonged to chess club and was in DECA. In one of his classes they had to bring a book to read and he brought his Bible. He also signed someone's year book as STEVE (THE MAGNIFICENT) MURPHY.

Do you think there's any possibility that he might have gone into the priesthood?

 

[Snoangel26]

Do you think there's any possibility that he might have gone into the priesthood?

Anything is possible. How would I search to find out.

 

[carbuff]

Anything is possible. How would I search to find out.

I found an obituary for a man of the right name but he's too old to be your father. But it made me wonder whether I should try to keep looking in that direction. I'm just reading through published obituaries at legacy.com.

 

[carbuff]

I mostly drew a blank with the Legacy obituary listings, but I did find one item I couldn't rule out or even find more information about: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/independentmail/name/steven-murphy-obituary?id=13223005

STEVEN MURPHY OBITUARY​

Steven Murphy
ANDERSON - Steven Murphy, 56, of Anderson, SC passed away on February 9, 2013.
Arrangements will be announced by Woodlawn Sosebee Funeral Home and Crematory.

Published by Anderson Independent-Mail on Feb. 12, 2013.

I'm probably overlooking something obvious, but I couldn't find the referenced obituary or any information googling on every term I could think of. Maybe somebody on a genealogy website or newspapers.com could find something?

 

[Veronica Sawyer]

Hello Sleuthers,

Earlier today a friend sent me a message asking for help doing research on a missing person (the father of her friend). He was last seen in Claremore Oklahoma sometime in 1976. For a multitude of reasons, a missing persons report was not filed until last week in Tulsa.

STEPHEN "STEVE" LEE MURPHY
DOB: April 5, 1957 in Claremore Oklahoma

5’4”-5’7” 140-180lbs Brown hair, brown eyes

MOTHER: Mary Jane Hamm
FATHER: Tommy Wayne Murphy.

A.G. Bell junior high school 1970-1972, Tulsa, OK
Will Rogers High School graduate 1975, Tulsa, OK- DECA, Chess Club, Martial Arts, brought bible to school daily per classmate’s report. Went by "Steve"

Married June 2 1975 to in Tulsa. His uncle hadn't heard from him since about 1976. When my mother filed for divorce she had to put it in the newspaper as he couldn't be located, 1980 in the Tulsa Tribune, July 18,25, August 1, 8 publication.

MP’s mother reportedly told his siblings that “he went into the Marines and escaped still with handcuffs on and therefore went AWOL never seen again”.. When they asked about his whereabouts.

Where is Stephen Lee Murphy?

He went AWOL from the Marines?
Why would he have been cuffed?

Assuming the story MP’s mother relayed to his siblings was true then she or whoever she may have heard it from had to have have gotten it from a marine if not Stephen himself, right?

Misspelling some names makes it difficult sometimes. At this point it wouldn't surprise me if he changed the spelling or even changed his name. Seems like he just fell off the earth.

If he did in fact go AWOL from the Marines wouldn’t there have been a warrant issued for his arrest? Or perhaps he thought they’d come looking for him and therefore assumed a new identity.


Just theorizing.

 

[doublestop]

@Snoangel26 Do you know what his juvenile record was for?

 

[Laughing]

Do you think there's any possibility that he might have gone into the priesthood?

Anything is possible. How would I search to find out.

Call the Catholic church closest to you, and ask. Can't hurt, and you have practice asking these tough questions.

Now that church may not have access to nation-wide records, but their diocese surely has that access.

Possibly any information might be released to the detective rater than to you?

Still trying to figure out other ways to search, other places to ask...you've worked so hard!

And -- I was blessed with a great Dad, who was also born in Oklahoma, served in the military. I want you to know your Dad's story, and there must be more than the one tale told by his mother.



image from imgflip.com

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[sassyblue]

I mostly drew a blank with the Legacy obituary listings, but I did find one item I couldn't rule out or even find more information about: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/independentmail/name/steven-murphy-obituary?id=13223005

STEVEN MURPHY OBITUARY​

Steven Murphy
ANDERSON - Steven Murphy, 56, of Anderson, SC passed away on February 9, 2013.
Arrangements will be announced by Woodlawn Sosebee Funeral Home and Crematory.

Published by Anderson Independent-Mail on Feb. 12, 2013.

I'm probably overlooking something obvious, but I couldn't find the referenced obituary or any information googling on every term I could think of. Maybe somebody on a genealogy website or newspapers.com could find something?

Name:	Steven M Murphy
Birth Date:	30 Apr 1956
Address:	4403 Denver Cove Rd
Residence Place:	Anderson, South Carolina, USA
Zip Code:	29625-6208

 

[sassyblue]

Name:	Steven M. Murphy
Death Age:	56
Birth Date:	30 Apr 1956
Residence Place:	Anderson, South Carolina
Death Date:	9 Feb 2013
Death Place:	Anderson, South Carolina