Gordon E. Murphy

Gordon Edward Murphy, age 74, died on January 15, 2022 surrounded by his family after visiting his hometown of Danville, Illinois and suffering a hemorrhagic stroke.

Born November 18, 1947, Gordon earned a bachelors degree from Illinois State University, and he played left field for the Redbirds baseball team, which won the 1969 national championship. Gordon then served for two years in the U.S. Army. Upon his return, Gordon began working for the John G. Symons YMCA on Chicagos Northwest Side, overseeing all youth programming except aquatics. It was at the Y where Gordon met Cheryl as he was just casually hanging out by the pool to catch her eye when she brought her two preschool-aged sons for swim lessons. Gordon and Cheryl married in 1975, Paul and David were adopted and they all moved to Glen Ellyn. Gordon earned his law degree at NIU at night while swaggering his power suit and tie into work at the First National Bank of Chicago, where he spent 10 years and served as a vice president. During that time, he served as board chair of Chicagos Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Gordon practiced law briefly then launched himself into the role of president at Opportunity International. He founded The Storehouse in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and then served as executive director of the Christian Community Development Association. He founded the Chicago chapter of The Barnabas Group. In his retirement, Gordon apprenticed and advised within the prison reform community on behalf of the Cornell Brewer Foundation. Gordon was honored but baffled to be included on the teaching faculty of Wheaton College and Columbia College Chicago.

Gordon was a committed follower of Jesus Christ, and in all aspects of life, Gordons mission was to share the good news that we are made in the image of God and loved unconditionally. He used the many talents he was blessed with his business acumen, his leadership abilities, and his curious, ridiculous, and empathetic personality for the betterment of Gods kingdom. Gordon served as Elder, youth leader, small group member, and PADS volunteer at his longtime church home, the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn. Gordon also spent more than 15 years as a volunteer baseball coach for Elmhurst College, and in recent years he thoroughly enjoyed coaching for WDSRA. He played handball, tennis, and golf regularly and competitively.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents Glen and Margaret Murphy, Delores and Orville Miller, Emma Jane Brown and Janice Richardson. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his children: Paul and Kimberly, David, Rebecca and Jacob, and Daniel and Meena; his siblings, Cynthia Roderick and Barbara and Kim Drew; and his sister-in-law Karen Canning. Also bereft are his favorite nieces and nephews. Gordon adored most his grandchildren: Shashi, Gabriella, Esther, Judith, Shiva and Akiva. How much does he love you? A ton.

As per Gordons wishes he will be cremated, and a Celebration of Life event will be held at a later date. The family has entrusted Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center 3940 N. Vermilion St. Danville, IL 61834 with his arrangements. Memorial donations in Gordons memory may be made to: Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans 433 S. Carlton Ave. Wheaton, IL 60187. Please join the family in sharing memories, photographs, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.