Marion Ancil Murphy, a visionary educator, orchardist, and a cornerstone of the Casey County community, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Casey County Hospital. He was 90.

Born on May 26, 1935, at his family home near Liberty, Kentucky, Marion was the son of the late Herman and Elsie Murphy. Growing up on the local soil, he developed a deep-seated respect for the farming way of life, a passion that defined his career as a Horticulture Teacher at the Casey County Vocational School for many years. Marion took great pride in his garden and his orchards, assisting the Casey County Detention Center with their community garden. Marion loved to communicate with his community and educate them on growing their choice of crops. In the early 1970s, he co-founded the Casey County Apple Festival, helping local farmers market their harvest in addition to the county’s significant amount acres of apple trees. Though the founders initially hoped the event would last just a few years, Marion’s vision blossomed into a legendary Kentucky tradition that has endured for over half a century. Marion was a man of the earth who turned a practical idea into a legacy, but his greatest pride was his family. He loved and cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren deeply. Marion enjoyed cooking for his friends to gather them together often. He remains a testament to the impact one person can have when they dedicate their life to the people and the land they call home.

He is survived by two sons, Mark (and Donna) Murphy of Liberty and Mike (and Angela) Murphy of Somerset; a daughter, Marsha (and Wallace) Payton of Liberty; a brother Howard Murphy of Versailles; six grandchildren, Becky (and Mark) Hinkle, Natasha (and Brian) McQueary, Jessica (and Pete) McQueary, Demi (and Harvey) Toebbe, Bryley (and Kendall) Murphy and Grayson (and Anthony Calabrese) Murphy; 13 great-grandchildren; and several friends and neighbors.

In addition to his parents, Marion is preceded in death by his loving wife, Bernita Rochelle Murphy; two brothers, John Bearl Murphy and James Shearl Murphy; four sisters, Ethel Murphy, Lorene Noel, Deloris “Dee” Campbell and Anita Fletcher.

The family will receive friends Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Martin officiating.

Burial will follow in Gum Lick Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may take the form of donations In Memory of Marion Murphy to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.