Dakota Keith Murphy, 22 - Prosperity, SC

(06/10/2015)
On March 15, 1993, in Newberry County, Keith Allen and Kimberly Butler Murphy celebrated the birth of Dakota Keith Murphy. With his infectious smile and irresistible charm, Dakota immediately began to impact others.

As Dakota attended Newberry County public schools his love for people and athletics grew. Dakota nurtured his understanding of the meaning of the word team as he began to play recreational sports. He was the kind of player a coach wanted to coach. He gave his all, and then gave a little more. During his middle school and high school tenure many Mid Carolina Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Wrestling Team members were inspired to push themselves to be the best they could be through his encouragement.

Dakota had a passion for helping others. He found Newberry Younglife Ministry to be a perfect fit for his spiritual needs. He was also a member of Aveleigh Fellowship of Presbyterians Church.

Dakota enjoyed hunting, fishing, swimming, four-wheeling and other outdoor activities with friends and family in both South Carolina and West Virginia. He was well known for immense sense of independence. Mr. Murphy was graduated from Mid Carolina High School and the Nashville Auto Diesel School. He was employed at McKechnie Components. The next chapter of his earthly life was to include the US Marine Corps.

On June 7, 2015, Dakota Keith Murphy joined God's Athletic Teams. He will be running with the angels, defending goals, and pinning on a mat softened by the clouds. He will be saving a spot on the team for you.

Presently his life is celebrated by his parents, Keith and Kimberly Murphy of Prosperity, SC; a brother, Tyler Allen Murphy of Chloe, WV; maternal grandparents, Basil and Janet Butler of Chloe, WV; paternal grandparents, Robert and Shirley Murphy of Clay, WV; paternal great-grandmother, Vina Murphy of Clay, WV; and everyone whose life he touched as he danced through his stay on earth.

Pall Bearers are: D-Ray Allen, Ethan Manning, Asa Manning, Mekayla Manning, Coach Ethan Campbell, Mike Jones, Collin Roton, Matthew Lewis, Andrew Brown, Coach Rick Harris, Brian Murphy, Tony Murphy, Mike Murphy, Scott Butler, Trent Cottrell, Josh Hanshaw, Tyler Murphy Honorary Pall Bearers are members of the 2012 Mid Carolina High School Cross Country TeamMcswain.

Evans Funeral Home, Newberry, SC and Stump Funeral Home in Arnoldsburg, WV are assisting the family.

The Celebration of his Life and Faith will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Mid -Carolina High School at 5:00 PM with visitation following. Please park in the rear of the school and enter through the double doors. Dakota will then travel to West Virginia where friends and family will gather to begin his next adventure at Stump Funeral Home, Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Shelly Mace officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home one hour prior to service. The special place chosen to honor his life is in Chloe, West Virginia at Butler Farm Cemetery/