James Murphy “Murph” Tinsley, 62, of Morgantown, died Saturday in a room overlooking Mountaineer Field, where he helped televise all but two home games in 36 consecutive seasons of West Virginia University football.
A well-known character in the university community and beyond, the Saint Albans native had a heart of gold and blue. His fondness for his home state and WVU was surpassed only by his love for the generations of student athletes, students and colleagues he helped grow and develop, both as humans and professionals.
Murph not only knew his job but everyone’s job, whether it be at West Virginia Public Broadcasting, WVU University Relations, or on a sports production crew.
Murph was a staunch supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union and public broadcasting, and he served as a member of the Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting board at the time of his death. He was a proud alumnus of WVU’s Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism, now the Reed College of Media.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary “Addi” Adelene (Dodson) Tinsley, and his father, Augustus Gordon Tinsley.
He is survived by his brother, Joe “E.I.” Tinsley, of Orlando, Fla.
Friends are invited to an informal, tailgate-style celebration of Murph’s life at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, in the Gold Ballroom of the WVU Mountainlair. Gold and blue attire is encouraged.
Services provided with the guidance of Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover/Morgantown.
Condolences: www.smithfcc.com
