Chuck Murphy

2019 Inductee

Chuck Murphy first showed his face in Walker County Schools when his granddaughter began at Rossville Elementary.  Because she was diabetic, Chuck made it his duty to be her caretaker.  From Rossville, he followed her to Chattanooga Valley Middle and then ultimately to Ridgeland.  Chuck soon became beloved among the RHS office staff and the students due to his tendency to arrive with treats from Land’s Bakery.  His son Chuck Murphy Jr. worked for Ridgeland for 11 years.  That gave Big Chuck the green light to become a permanent fixture around campus.  He came every day to eat lunch and fellowship with the lunch ladies.  They fed him well, and he loved the company. He also sat through all four lunches every day and became the official school lunch monitor.  Over the years, Chuck learned the kids at Ridgeland by name, realizing he was genuine in his love for them.  The original students came to know him and loved him in return.  He had encouraging words and praises for some, and he preached to the ones that needed it.  He had a special place in the heart for the students with disabilities.  Chuck also served as Santa Claus at Ridgeland for many years, a tradition now continued by Coach Keith Mariakis.  Santa Chuck enjoyed having the students get their picture made with them.  He truly was a jolly old soul.  Chuck, of course, became an avid Ridgeland football fan.  He and his son did not miss a game, home or away, for seven years.  He cheered for his team from the hill. He donated his time, labor, and equipment for various jobs on the Ridgeland campus.  Like the time he stayed after a football game so it could roll the big lumps and bumps from the field so the kids could play on it the next week.  He always wanted what was best for the kids.  So he was thrilled to see the artificial turf installed.  He admired the new field and believed to have first dubbed Bowers and Painter Field “the Pride of North Georgia football.”  After Chuck’s passing a memorial was placed precisely on his spot on the hill so that he can continue to be present on Friday nights when his beloved Panthers play.  I encourage everyone here to go and find that memorial some Friday night so that you can cheer the Panthers to victory along with him.  He will forever be a part of the Ridgeland family.

–Rob Stinson, 2019