Francis Murphy understood something important: Most people like tomatoes, in some form. They like them on hamburgers, in salads and with tacos. Whole, sliced or chunked, people want tomatoes and Francis learned how to provide them year-round.
Working beside his father, Oscar P. Murphy, who started the family-owned tomato distribution business in Houston, Texas, Francis made his living in tomatoes — a lot of tomatoes. He helped build Murphy Tomatoes into a multimillion dollar company with operations in Texas, Florida and California.
Estate gift
A devout Southern Baptist, Francis gave generously throughout his life to the International Mission Board (IMB) and global missions efforts. After his death in 2010, IMB received a gift from his estate finalized in 2013 of more than $5.3 million for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the largest estate gift in the organization’s history. The gift supports missionaries around the world and their ministries among people who have previously been without access to the gospel.
Anne Murphy, Francis’ widow, was not surprised by her husband’s generous plans for his estate. He often would tell Anne, “I wish I had more to give,” speaking not only of money, but of his time, energy and prayers.
“He just didn’t want for himself,” Anne said, from her Salinas, Calif., home. “God gave and Francis gave. Francis didn’t want or need.”
Anne faithfully carried out her husband’s hand-written wishes. On a memo pad with “Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths” printed at the top, Francis made his priorities clear. He would make sure people heard the truth of Christ, even after his death.
As a young Christian, Anne didn’t always understand the motivation behind her husband’s financial giving, but she trusted his wisdom. Francis lived life generously and obediently to the Lord. Even as his wealth accumulated, Anne said he looked for the good he could do with it. Part of his daily time with God included asking how he should invest and spend his money.
Anne learned to love Francis’ spirit, which was quick to respond to the needs around him. He regularly offered wise counsel or a good book he had finished reading to church members, family and employees.
A member of Friendswood Baptist Church, Friendswood, Texas, Francis not only was a faithful tither and supporter of global missions, but he did not hesitate to write a check to benefit everything from ministry to widows to disaster relief efforts along the Gulf Coast.
“I wish I had the words to describe this man that God somehow brought before me,” Anne said. “He showed me how to live.”
Francis’ son, Joe, the current owner of Murphy Tomatoes, said his dad looked for ways to bless others when the business became successful and he passed on that desire.
Conscientious contributor
“We’ve been very blessed,” Joe said. “My dad was very blessed, very prosperous in the business.
“He was very conscientious about the decisions he made in business, but it wasn’t only about the money,” Joe explained. “It was a passion that God gave him the ability to generate those revenues and to make those profits so that he could bless other people … and then to have a big contribution that he could make at the end of his life. I think that was really what he worked for.”
To view a video of the Murphys, visit vimeo.com/99869712 and vimeo.com/99869713. (BP)
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