Christopher John "Chris" Murphy

Christopher John “Chris” Murphy, 58, of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at his home. A devoted father, son, attorney, public servant, and friend, Chris dedicated his life to serving others with integrity, compassion, and conviction. Chris was born on May 31, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the beloved son of The Honorable Patrick Joseph Murphy and Barbara Ann Murphy. He was raised in Summerville and graduated from Summerville High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The Citadel in 1990, an institution he supported proudly throughout his life. He later received his Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law in 1995 and served his country in the National Guard. He is survived by his sons, Christopher Austin Murphy and Jackson Frederick Murphy; his former spouse, The Honorable Maite Murphy; his siblings Patrick J. Murphy, Cindy da Silva, and The Honorable Michael H. Murphy, III; and his longtime friend Pennie Folden. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Diane M. Murphy. Chris built a respected legal career as a prosecutor with the First Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and later in private practice. His legal career included service as an Assistant Solicitor in the First Judicial Circuit from 1996 to 1998, followed by roles as Senior Assistant Solicitor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney on the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force from 1998 to 2001. He was a partner at Quattlebaum & Murphy, LLP from 2001 to 2007, then founded and operated Murphy Law Firm, LLC from 2007 to 2023, and became partner and owner of Murphy Crantford Meehan until his retirement in 2024. Chris’s public service began on the Dorchester County Council, where he served from 2003 to 2010 and was chairman in 2005–2006. He was elected to represent District 98 in the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2010 and served continuously thereafter, including membership on the Agriculture Committee from 2010 to 2014 (chairing its Environmental Subcommittee from 2012 to 2014), the Judiciary Committee from 2014 to 2022 (serving as chairman from 2020 to 2022), and the Ways and Means Committee beginning in 2023, where he chaired the Constitutional Budget Subcommittee. He also served on the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank beginning in 2023, on the South Carolina Ports Authority Review and Oversight Commission beginning in 2017, and as a member of the Legislative Audit Council in 2022. Outside of his professional life, Chris was deeply involved in the community. He was a founding member of the Summerville Miracle League, active in the Summerville Rotary Club, a sustaining member of the Coastal Community Foundation–Dorchester County Fund, and an active coach with the Summerville Sertoma Club and Parks Field—coaching his sons from their earliest days until middle school when they began playing for Pinewood Prep. A lifelong supporter of The Citadel, he took pride in its traditions and in sharing embellished stories of his time there. Chris’s larger-than-life personality, quick wit, and mostly-appropriate humor made him the life of every party and a welcome presence at any gathering. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, 303 S. Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483. A memorial service will begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception at Summerville Country Club, 400 Country Club Blvd, Summerville, SC 29483. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the SC Bar, P.O. Box 208, Columbia, SC 29202-0208, Memo: In Memory of Chris Murphy.

Christopher John "Chris" Murphy

May 31, 1968 - July 22, 2026