Current Events
Loren is with the Lord
Loren Wayne Murphy, 85 of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho passed away in Lewiston, Idaho, on Aug. 2, 2022.
Loren was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Jan. 5, 1937, to Virginia and Fred Murphy of Casco Bay.
He attended North Idaho Jr. College and University of Idaho with focus in engineering. Loren married Georgia S. Finch, and together they had two children, Brenda Anne Murphy Lawlor, and Sophie Shawn Murphy Crismore. He worked for Murphy Towing and Barging, and later in Alaska as a mechanical and civil engineer.
Loren served eight years in the U.S. Naval Air Reserves. Returning to Coeur d'Alene he owned and operated Gem State and North Cape Construction Companies. Notable projects are the Hagadone Corporate HQ built on pilings next to The Coeur d'Alene Resort, and helping to crate and build the floating boardwalk along with Murphy Marine Construction.
Loren loved boats, family, and the Lord. Early on sailing became the focus and Loren eventually sold his Coeur d'Alene home and businesses and spent years sailing with Georgia in the South Pacific as missionaries.
Loren is survived by wife Georgia Murphy, daughters Brenda Lawlor of Mt. Vernon, Wash., and Sophie Crismore of Plains, Mont. Grandchildren, Cody Crismore, Rio Firestone, Isaak Lawlor and Ian Lawlor, and five great-grandchildren. Loren was predeceased by his parents and sister Barbara Burns.
Memorial donations may be made to MurSea Missions, 1267 Port Way, Clarkston, Wash., 99403.
There will be a celebration of life in the Spring.
The Metal Boat Society Presentation was a success. Loren, Georgia and Brenda attended the event on August 10th & 11th in beautiful Anacortes Washington. The timeline of designing Zebulun, remodeling the boatshed and building Zebulun were presented. The discussion of transferring the project was also initially shared here. The presentation was well received and numerous people expressed their interest in helping with the transfer of the project.
The Metal Boat Society annual event is one that Loren and Georgia have attended for a number of years. The Metal Boat Society (MBS) is a volunteer educational society whose mission is to create a community where information about metal boats and boating can be readily exchanged.
The Most Recent Board Meeting:
On July 21st, the MurSea Missions Board met in Spokane Washington. Some of the board were unable to attend, however they were contacted by phone when voting and discussion was necessary. The key topics discussed are outlined below:
- Financial Status - the necessary cash flow has not manifested itself over the past several years. Personal funds have had to be infussed to keep the operation going.
- New Board Member - Steve Dilts was added to the board to replace a departing member due to time commitments.
- Upcoming Presentation at the Metal Boat Society Meeting - It was decided that Brenda would do the majority of the presentation as it would be difficult for Loren and Georgia physically to make such a long presentation.
- Zebulun Project - due to the financial status of the organization and the physical demands that would be placed on Loren to continue, it was decided to transfer the Zebulun project to some other individual or organization who could carry the dream and the project to completion.
- Transfer Team - a team of three, Jack & Brenda Lawlor and Wayne Crismore, were voted into spearheading the transfer process. Wayne is the welding advisor, Brenda is a board member and Jack is the webmaster. A meeting was scheduled for August at the boatshed to begin the discussions and process of transfer.
Zebulun Transfer Information:
- Assessing Financial Investment - an initial evaluation of funds utilized for remodeling, aluminum purchase and outside consultation will be assessed.
- Assessing Property Values - current markets in the Clarkston Washington area for the boatshed / warehouse will be assessed.
- Deciding on Options of transfer - topics to be evaluated include transfer of the entire project and land holdings, transfer of the project with leasing of the land or transfer of the project with the real estate being sold to another entity.
- Beginning to promote the transfer - the website will be rebuilt to promote the transfer of the project. Once the guidelines of the transfer are agreed upon, other advertising avenues will be utilized. The possible contracting with a broaker will also be investigated.
Board Member Activities:
Brenda Lawlor has now made two trips to the USVI post huricaines Irma and Maria. These deployments were through the American Red Cross with most of her efforts on Saint Thomas and Saint John. See Virgin Islands Consortium for current news.