Christopher Columbus Murphree, 85, of Bay City passed away July 20, 2013. He was born September 19, 1927 in Hayworth, Oklahoma to the late Leonard Franklin Murphree and Jettie Wooley Murphree. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and retired from the Matagorda County Drainage District after 36 years of service. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene.

Survivors include his wife, Joy Clayton Murphree; daughter Betty Crosby & husband David; sons Wayne Murphree & wife Lyssa and Gary Murphree & wife Lori; sister Lillie Buffaloe all of Bay City; special daughters Mildred Martin of Beaumont and Ruby Burch of Wiley, TX; 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. 3 sisters and 1 brother all preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4PM until 8PM Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Monday, July 22, 2013 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Chapel with Rev. Warren Muntz officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Pallbearers will be Steven Clayton, Wesley Clayton, Mike Buffaloe, T. J. Buffaloe, Donnie Buffaloe, Clay Cook, Tommy Crosby,Michael Crosby and Lee Vaughan. Honorary pallbearers will be James Rother, Jimmy Stephens, Truett Farris, Sherman Morgan, Jack Brannon, Ray Smithey, Benny Owen and Milton Jarrell. Memorials in his name may be made to the Gideons International or the Church of the Nazarene.