Mark D. “Murf” Murphy, 45, of Oak Harbor, died Jan. 30, 2009, at his home.

Mark was born in Lexington, Ky., on Oct. 11, 1963, to Douglas K. and Anna Marie (Morrison) Murphy. He moved with his family to Davenport, Iowa, as a small child. Mark attended Davenport schools, graduating from West High School in 1981. He was employed at Samuel’s Jewelry at North Park Mall, Davenport, for several years. Mark then entered the U.S. Navy, serving 20-plus years, and retiring as an AW1. His Navy career took him to numerous duty stations, including Jacksonville, Fla., California, Hawaii, and finally NAS Whidbey Island.

Mark married Vicki Marie Meier of Davenport, Iowa, on May 17, 1990, in Reno, Nev. The couple moved to Oak Harbor in 1999. Mark was passionate about his military service in the Navy. In addition, he loved fast cars, and on a nice day was known to don his shades and go for a drive with the top down and his pal, “Boy Bear,” a chow dog, sitting in the passenger seat beside him. He also enjoyed fishing, working on cars, computers, boats, and spending time with the love of his life, Vicki, and their chow, “Boy Bear.”He was a member of the Fleet Reserve association, Branch 97 of Oak Harbor.

Mark is survived by his wife Vicki; his son, Mikael Murphy and his daughter Amber Murphy, both of Indianapolis, Ind.; his mother, Anna Murphy of Honolulu; his sister, Kelly Werrick-Murphy of Bettendorf, Iowa; also, by his beloved pooch, “Boy Bear.” Mark was preceded in death by his father, Douglas K. Murphy in 1997; by his grandparents, Edith and Bill Morrison, with whom Mark spent many happy times in Michigan as a boy; his brother Danny; his father-in-law, Chelsea R. Meier, Sr.; and his uncle Bill Morrison. He was also preceded by his first chow dog, “Boy Raven.”

A memorial service will take place at Cornet Bay Park on Friday, Feb. 6, at 2:30 p.m., with full military honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. A reception will follow immediately at Regency on Whidbey Assisted Living, 1040 SW Kimball Dr. Memorials are suggested to WAIF, P.O. Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239. Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com. Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc.