Stratton King Murphy

Stratton King Murphy, 51, of Plantation, Florida, left this earthly life to enter the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, April 6, 2024, following a tragic motorcycle accident. He was born on January 21, 1973, in Kenansville, North Carolina to Harry Daniel “Pete” and Lynn Chandler Murphy. Stratton grew up in Rose Hill, North Carolina, and was a graduate of Harrells Christian Academy. From an early age Stratton was committed to doing his very best in all endeavors. At Harrells, he was a Morehead Scholar Nominee, President of the Student Body, and a member of the Quizbowl team. On the football field, Stratton was Quarterback his Senior year and won three State Championships. He also played four years of baseball, winning two state championships, four years of basketball, as well as enjoying Varsity golf.

Stratton attended the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, Florida, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration, with honors, in 1995 and a Masters of Business Administration in 1997. At “The U”, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, where he made lifelong friendships and lasting memories, as well as a member of Beta Alpha Psi, honor Accounting Fraternity.

Always one to seek new adventures, Stratton began his career in Barcelona, Spain working for Ernst & Young as a Senior Accountant, focused on mergers and acquisitions. As a Harley-Davidson enthusiast and rider, Stratton traveled all over Europe on his bike, riding over 40,000 miles to 35 countries, territories and independent states, traveling South to Malta and Crete, East to the Black Sea, West to Portugal and North to Iceland, North Cape, and Norway.

Upon returning to America to start his own family, Stratton had the honor to work alongside his father serving as President/Managing Partner for Murphy Investment Group. Beginning in 2011, Stratton also proudly served as CEO and President of Desperado, Mad Boar, Taboo, and Hideout Harley-Davidson Dealerships. He continued his journeys riding countless miles on his Harley across the United States and Central America.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his sons Liam, Aleix, and Biel Murphy and his former wife, Meritxell Gangonells Murphy of Plantation, Florida; brothers, Marc Murphy of Raleigh and Nick Kukulinski, and his wife Paula, of Raleigh; nephews, Payne Kukulinski and Santana Murphy, and nieces, Claire Kukulinski and Marisa Murphy; Uncle, Wendell H. Murphy and his wife, Linda, and Uncle Larry Chandler; Great Aunt, Peggy Stubbs; as well as numerous cousins, including Dell Murphy (Wendy), Wendy Crumpler (Kelly), Cindy Bass, Wesley Hairr (Donna), Angela Brown (Robby), Kimberly Byrd (Mike), Alexander Holder (Denise), Carla Kieffer (Jonathan), and extended family and friends, all of whom loved Stratton dearly. Stratton was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Holmes and Lois Murphy and Lawrence and Nellie Chandler, and Aunt, Joyce Murphy Minchew.

Stratton’s greatest accomplishment and source of pride were his sons. His family was always most important to him and it was his honor to be called “Dada”, “Son”, and “Uncle Scratch”. Stratton was actively engaged in his son’s lives which included their school, the NSU University School in Fort Lauderdale, where he sat on the Student Life Committee for the Head of the School Advisory Board and served as a dedicated volunteer and donor. Since sports were such an important part of his youth, Stratton gave back by serving as a Youth Recreational Sports Coach in Davie, Florida.

Stratton was disciplined and committed to a rigorous fitness routine which inspired family and friends. He was a Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, frequent participant in the 75 Hard Challenge, and recently completed Rise Up Kings, a highly structured and intense Christian business training program. Stratton’s commitment to Christ was an important aspect of his life and he was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

An avid fan of and contributor to the Miami Hurricanes, North Carolina State University Wolfpack, and East Carolina Pirates, he enjoyed joining family and friends to cheer on those teams whenever possible.

Patriotic, selfless, and a man of his word, Stratton showed up for the people he loved for moments both big and small. With a smile that lifted spirits and a huge heart, Stratton knew no strangers. He was loving and ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. While Stratton will surely be missed, the treasured memories and his legacy will forever live on through his children and generations to come.

Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Wallace. The funeral will be followed by an entombment service at Devotional Gardens in Warsaw, NC.  There will be a Celebration of Stratton's life held at the River Landing Clubhouse following the services above.  

For those wishing to pay their respects, Stratton will be lying in state at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home on Friday, April 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Flowers are welcome and contributions may be made in memory of Stratton to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, dogood.t2t.org/IMOStrattonMurphy, to support our nation’s greatest heroes and their families, or The ALS Association Research Program, donate.als.org, to support research to identify, treat, and one day cure ALS.

You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by selecting our Tribute Wall above.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace, North Carolina is serving the family.

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