At 7:30 a.m. on Sunday November 1, I lost a good friend and the Home Talent League lost a great mentor when Jerry Murphy lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.  He leaves behind a wonderful, supportive, and loving family along with too many friends to mention here.

I am proud to say I knew Jerry Murphy.  He went to high school seven miles from where I grew up.  He set state records and ran for state championships.  He was a great athlete for his time.

Jerry entered the military and returned to this area to become an outstanding softball pitcher and a more outstanding bowler.  He is in the Madison Bowling Hall of Fame.  He later started Monona Home Talent Baseball and has helped keep it going since its beginning.

Jerry was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  We talked about watching his grandson play football for Mukwonago when they ruled Wisconsin football which is even more meaningful for me today as I have two grandsons playing in the youth football program in the Mukwonago school district.   In fact, Saturday I was in the stands at Kettle Moraine High School watching them play in their youth tackle leagues.  I was thinking about Jerry then, knowing he did the same thing in his earlier days and loved it as much as I do now.  I was hoping I would get to see him and talk to him one more time.

That did not happen and I am sorry I never got that one last chance.  

I wanted to thank him for his many years of service to Home Talent Baseball doing league stats and being a very valuable member of the HTL Executive Board.  

One thing I want you to know about Jerry is that he cared for Home Talent Baseball and all of you reading this.  He always voted in the best interest of the Home Talent Baseball League and that is something very important to remember about him.  Take a moment and send some thanks to him for that in Heaven.

I encourage you to reach out to his family at this difficult time.  

The address is 5209 Arrowhead Drive, Monona, WI 53716

I consider myself a very fortunate person to have known such a high quality person as Jerry Murphy.  Rest in Peace.