Thomas C. ‘Buck’ Murphy; Pennysaver Investor

Former Ventura resident Thomas Clayton “Buck” Murphy, a founding investor in the Pennysaver advertising publication and creator of the Christians With Addictions men’s group, died Dec. 2 at his home in Irvine of a heart attack. He was 64.

A fourth-generation Californian, Murphy was born May 24, 1936, in Los Angeles and graduated from Wilson High School in Long Beach in 1954. He moved to Ventura County six years later.

About 1961, Murphy was a founding investor in the Pennysaver. He brought the publication’s headquarters to Ventura in 1966 after forming Murphy Bros. Publishing with his brother Robert. Later, the shopper publication was called the Advertiser. In 1974, Thomas Murphy sold his interest in the parent company to his brother and sister-in-law.

Murphy and his wife, Nancy, his high school sweetheart, lived in Ventura for about 30 years. They also spent some of their time in Hawaii, where he owned other businesses.

From Ventura County, Murphy managed several independent dental clinics from Monterey to San Diego. In 1979, he managed and marketed dental services in Hawaii and formed a dental insurance company called Denta-Guard.

He was involved in Youth for Christ and the Christian Businessmen’s Committee, in Ventura County. He was also a longtime member of Missionary Church in Ventura.

Murphy loved to read and had been a marathon runner until about five years ago.

In the late 1980s, Murphy was arrested and sent to prison for 19 months on a drug-related charge. Once released, he moved to Orange County and founded the Christians With Addictions men’s group in 1993, which advocated recovery and a sober lifestyle.

In Irvine, he was a leader in the network marketing company called the Tax People.

A memorial service was held Thursday at Mariners Church in Irvine and attended by about 450 people.

In addition to his wife of 42 years and his brother Robert of Ventura, Murphy is survived by his mother, Polly Murphy of Carpinteria; a son, Shawn of Kauai, Hawaii; a daughter, Erin Murphy Smith of Encinitas, and three grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be sent in his memory to Hume Lake Christian Camps, 5545 E. Hedges St., Fresno CA 93727 or to Yes Ministries, P.O. Box 2280, Orange CA 92669.

Arrangements were handled by the Neptune Society.