James J. Murphy, 87, of Butte and Mesa, AZ, died April 10, 2026, after a short illness.

James Joseph Murphy was born September 26, 1938, in Butte, the first child of James (Jaula) and Irene Murphy. He attended St. John's Elementary and Butte Central High School, graduating in 1956. He enjoyed a distinguished scholastic and athletic career, helped lead Central football to notable victories, and earned all-state honors in his senior year.

Jim attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa on a football scholarship, transferring to Montana State University in Missoula after his sophomore year. He graduated in 1961 with a BA in Economics. Later, he completed an Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

During high school and college, Jim worked with his father in the family plumbing and heating business and earned a card with Local #41 of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. After college, he continued to work in the family business for several years.

Jim married Sandy Sennett in Butte on October 1, 1966. Together they raised four children: Marc, Shawna, Ryan (deceased) and Zach.

In 1968, Jim became the Executive Director of the Butte Model Cities Program, a federal "Great Society" initiative implemented by President Lyndon Johnson. The aim of the program was solving local problems with federal funds. The program infused over $26 million in federal support to Butte over its seven-year life and laid the groundwork for broader community improvements—senior housing, parks, infrastructure, and staff capability within local government. The program's success helped catalyze the subsequent consolidation of city and county governments and the "Can-Do" momentum of Butte-Silver Bow in the 1980s.

Following Model Cities, Jim served as president of Butte Forward, Inc., a nonprofit formed to guide downtown redevelopment. He then worked with the Montana Power Company on the Colstrip expansion project and later became Administrator of Butte-Silver Bow Hospital.

Jim returned to Montana Power in 1978, managing Sales and Accounting for Western Energy, MPC's non-utility coal mining subsidiary. He rose to executive roles, including president of SRM, Inc. in 1988, a hazardous waste management startup that he helped turn around and ultimately sell. In 1989, he was promoted to president of Western Energy, which operated coal mines across several states and had a broad footprint in energy and resource development.

Montana Power later created Entech, Inc. to operate its non-regulated businesses. Jim became President and COO of Entech in 1991, overseeing growth that made Entech a major contributor to the company's revenue and earnings. Jim retired from Montana Power in 1996, before the sequence of strategic decisions that resulted in the company's bankruptcy and dissolution. He neither influenced nor participated in those events and thereafter pursued consulting before entering retirement with Sandy. They split their time between Butte and Mesa, Arizona.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy; his daughter Shawna; and his sons Marc (Patty), and Zach (Timbre). He also leaves grandchildren Alex (Kaley), Lexie, Kailee (Josh), Jaula, and McKinley; great-grandchildren Mia, CeCe, and Bennett; his sister LuAnn (Bud) Petersen of Spokane; and he was preceded in death by his son Ryan and his brother Daniel C. Murphy of Denver.

Though his achievements were many, Jim remained humble, approachable, and devoted. He led not with fanfare but with steady guidance, fierce loyalty, and unwavering integrity in all he did. Jim's family and friends remember a man who freely gave his time, his expertise, and his heart. His lifelong curiosity and sense of humor created memories that will sustain those left behind. In honoring him, we carry forward his generosity, curiosity, and steadfast love.

In keeping with Jim's wishes, no services will be held. A private family service will take place at a later date.

In his memory, donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.