Michael C. "Mike" Murphy, Jr. (Murph), was born September 8, 1964 and passed away on Sunday, September 26, 2004, at his home in Lexington from complications of diabetes.  Michael leaves behind his mother, Rita Murphy, Baytown, TX; father and stepmother, Mike and Barbara Murphy, Sacramento, CA; sister and husband, Sharon and Kenneth Hammers, Baytown, TX; brother and wife, Terry and Lisa Murphy, Frankfort, KY; stepsister and husband, Bridgette and Ettiene Desomer, Sacramento, CA; stepbrother, Chad Stubbs, Sacramento, CA; grandmother, Eva Tompkins, Henderson, KY; grandparents, Jesse and Mary Jo Murphy, Greenville, KY; beloved nieces and nephew, Brittany, Erika and Katelyn Hammers, Baytown, TX, and Jacob Fox, Sacramento, CA; a special friend, Whitney Seebold Fields, Lexington, KY; along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Michael was a life long avid horseman and worked at racetracks across the entire United States and Canada. The last four years he devoted to the loving care of his "baby" Blue Jen, a talented pacing mare.  Michael handled the daughter of Jenna's Beach Boy from the time she was a yearling.   Michael loved card games, board games, and UK basketball.  He was a member of the USTA, KHRC, and IHRC.  A gathering for the celebration of Michael's life was held in Paddock Park at The Red Mile Racetrack in Lexington, KY on Friday, October 1, 2004. Race #2 on the Grand Circuit card was named in memory of Michael, with a trophy presentation.  Donations may be made in Michael's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Chapter, 133 Evergreen Rd., Ste. 100, Louisville, KY 40243, or Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 16575 Carey Rd., Westfield, IN 46074, or Standardbred Retirement Foundation, PO Box 763, Freehold, NJ 07728.

Source: Lexington Herald Leader Online