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In 1967 tragedy struck the Murphree family. Rex Neely, Pat's brother-in-law, was
killed in traffic accident. Not only did it leave a hole in the family, it also left no
one to run the Neely farm in Maricopa. Pat's sister, Louise, asked him to run the
farm for her.
Maricopa was the last place Pennee thought they'd end up. While they were
dating Pat and Pennee would drive through town on the way to home of Pat's
cousin on the Vekol Ranch. Pennee often wondered who would want to live in
Maricopa.
Pennee and Pat set to renovating the house on Maricopa farm which was quite
an ordeal given that the past residents kept two German shepherds in one
bedroom and an monkey in the other. Pennee finally resorted to washing out
the house with a garden hose before reflooring and painting the house.
killed in traffic accident. Not only did it leave a hole in the family, it also left no
one to run the Neely farm in Maricopa. Pat's sister, Louise, asked him to run the
farm for her.
Maricopa was the last place Pennee thought they'd end up. While they were
dating Pat and Pennee would drive through town on the way to home of Pat's
cousin on the Vekol Ranch. Pennee often wondered who would want to live in
Maricopa.
Pennee and Pat set to renovating the house on Maricopa farm which was quite
an ordeal given that the past residents kept two German shepherds in one
bedroom and an monkey in the other. Pennee finally resorted to washing out
the house with a garden hose before reflooring and painting the house.
brentmurphree.com
Brent Bio
Third Generation Arizona Cotton Farmer
Brent was born on August 22, 1959 in Chandler, Arizona to Pat and Pennee
Murphree. Pat is an Arizona native and Pennee, an Iowa farm girl, moved to
Arizona in 1954 with her family.
Pat worked for his father AP Murphree on the family farm at Pecos and
Linday Rds. AP (Pat Sr.) came to Arizona in 1917 and helped turn AJ
Chandler's farming operation into a profitable operation. He also bought
acreage of his own in the area. On that land he and his wife, Frances,
raised their four children, Louise, Alice, Neal and Pat.
GE Howard and his wife, Lucille, moved their family to Chandler in the early
1950s from their farm in Iowa. Their children, Pennee, Terry and Pam,
were all born in Ames, Iowa.
Murphree. Pat is an Arizona native and Pennee, an Iowa farm girl, moved to
Arizona in 1954 with her family.
Pat worked for his father AP Murphree on the family farm at Pecos and
Linday Rds. AP (Pat Sr.) came to Arizona in 1917 and helped turn AJ
Chandler's farming operation into a profitable operation. He also bought
acreage of his own in the area. On that land he and his wife, Frances,
raised their four children, Louise, Alice, Neal and Pat.
GE Howard and his wife, Lucille, moved their family to Chandler in the early
1950s from their farm in Iowa. Their children, Pennee, Terry and Pam,
were all born in Ames, Iowa.
Brent's Important Dates
The AP Murphree family - Louise, Pat
Sr., Alice, Little Pat, Frances, Neal early
1940s.
Sr., Alice, Little Pat, Frances, Neal early
1940s.
Brent was born two days before their first anniversary. Two
years later, Julie was born. The family lived in a small house
across the road from Pat's parents on the family farm.
In 1965 Pat moved his family into the town of Chandler so the
kids could attend school in their neighborhood. He took a job
selling farm equipment and later started a custom hay baling
business.
Little brother, Patrick, was born into the family in 1966. The
house on Ivanhoe was always busy with friends and family.
The street buzzed with the activity of young growing families in a
small urbanizing community.
years later, Julie was born. The family lived in a small house
across the road from Pat's parents on the family farm.
In 1965 Pat moved his family into the town of Chandler so the
kids could attend school in their neighborhood. He took a job
selling farm equipment and later started a custom hay baling
business.
Little brother, Patrick, was born into the family in 1966. The
house on Ivanhoe was always busy with friends and family.
The street buzzed with the activity of young growing families in a
small urbanizing community.
Pat Murphree and Pennee
Howard met at Chandler High
School. Both popular students,
they were active in all aspects of
school. They dated all of
Pennee's senior year and were
married the August following her
graduation in 1958. Pat had
graduated a year earlier and was
going to school and working on
the family farm.
Howard met at Chandler High
School. Both popular students,
they were active in all aspects of
school. They dated all of
Pennee's senior year and were
married the August following her
graduation in 1958. Pat had
graduated a year earlier and was
going to school and working on
the family farm.
Brent and his dad.
Brent, Julie and Patrick
Home / Brent Bio / Issues / Articles & Writing / Contact Brent / Link
1917
AP Murphree departs train
in Maricopa and goes to
work for Dr AJ Chandler
1959
Brent born in Chandler,
Arizona.
1967
Murphrees move to
Maricopa to farm on family
land.
1977
Brent graduates from
Maricopa High School.
1984-1986
Brent interns in City
Manager's Office at the City
of Chandler.
1980s
Brent and his siblings all
graduate from ASU
2003
Maricopa is incorporated as
Arizona's 88th city and
Brent is elected vice-mayor
by city council.
AP Murphree departs train
in Maricopa and goes to
work for Dr AJ Chandler
1959
Brent born in Chandler,
Arizona.
1967
Murphrees move to
Maricopa to farm on family
land.
1977
Brent graduates from
Maricopa High School.
1984-1986
Brent interns in City
Manager's Office at the City
of Chandler.
1980s
Brent and his siblings all
graduate from ASU
2003
Maricopa is incorporated as
Arizona's 88th city and
Brent is elected vice-mayor
by city council.
The Howards - GE, Terry, Pennee, Pam and Lucille
Brent and little brother Curt pose for
an OSHA and child wellfare violation
picture on the family farm.
an OSHA and child wellfare violation
picture on the family farm.
A blue ribbon for swine at the
Pinal County Fair
Pinal County Fair
After graduation Brent spent several years sowing wild oats. Acting
on a goal to travel he went to work as a GO at Club Med including
stints in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos
islands. Several members of the family took advantage of the
situation for trips to these locations.
Following Club Med, he worked for ARA Leisure Services as an
events coordinator at Lake Powell planning competitive swims and
triathlons and managing the Adopt-A-Canyon program for the
National Parks Service in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
on a goal to travel he went to work as a GO at Club Med including
stints in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos
islands. Several members of the family took advantage of the
situation for trips to these locations.
Following Club Med, he worked for ARA Leisure Services as an
events coordinator at Lake Powell planning competitive swims and
triathlons and managing the Adopt-A-Canyon program for the
National Parks Service in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
The past 13 years has brought growth in Maricopa
in two ways: The fourth generation of Arizona
Murphrees was kicked off with the birth of Kyle
Patrick, followed by McKenzie Peyton, Delanie Jane,
Cayden Knight, Joanna Mae, and Bethany Hope.
And, Maricopa has grown from a small farming
community into a thriving city.
The impact of Maricopa has be substantial in the
lives of the Murphrees.
in two ways: The fourth generation of Arizona
Murphrees was kicked off with the birth of Kyle
Patrick, followed by McKenzie Peyton, Delanie Jane,
Cayden Knight, Joanna Mae, and Bethany Hope.
And, Maricopa has grown from a small farming
community into a thriving city.
The impact of Maricopa has be substantial in the
lives of the Murphrees.
competitively with the Chandler/Tempe Marlins winning a first
place in the 1977 Fiesta Bowl swim meet. He attended 4-H
leadership conferences including a humanities workshop in
Washington, DC.
Immediately upon graduation, Brent spent time at on a
construction project with an American sponsored school in
Tamazunchale, Mexico.
Upon his return he enrolled at Mesa Community College before
going on to Grand Canyon College and finally receiving his degree
from the College of Public Programs at Arizona State University.
place in the 1977 Fiesta Bowl swim meet. He attended 4-H
leadership conferences including a humanities workshop in
Washington, DC.
Immediately upon graduation, Brent spent time at on a
construction project with an American sponsored school in
Tamazunchale, Mexico.
Upon his return he enrolled at Mesa Community College before
going on to Grand Canyon College and finally receiving his degree
from the College of Public Programs at Arizona State University.
Most summers were spent coaching swim teams and life
guarding for the communities of Maricopa and Chandler.
From 1984 through 1986 he worked as an Administrative Intern in
the City Manager's Office at the City of Chandler acting as
assistant public information officer. During a time of rapid growth
in the Phoenix Metro area, Brent was privy to the process that
established the valley's freeway system, helped initiate changes
in municipal communication processes and gained experience
in public management.
During that time the Murphree family sold the farming operation in
Gilbert and moved it to Maricopa where Pat was also managing
the Univerity of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center.
Two years after moving to Maricopa, brother Curt was born and for
over 10 years Maricopa became the home base to any number of
activities and business ventures.
Choir practice, swim team, basketball, football, FFA, 4-H were some
of the organized activities. Summers at the Murphrees' included lots of
kids, chopping cotton and trimming pistachio trees. Brent cut cotton
stocks, disked wheat stubble, cleaned ditches, fed livestock and
irrigated crops on the farm.
Brent attended Maricopa Schools from the third grade through the
completion of high School. During that time he also swam
In 1993 Brent went to work for Kramer Publications as a
advertising consultant. While with the company he won two
Arizona Newspaper Association awards for advertising.
He also intensified his activities in the political realm. In 1994
he managed the state senatorial campaign for then state
representative Roger Hooper. He was also participated with the
Barbara Barrett for Governor effort.
In 1994 Brent wast elected treasurer of the Pinal County
Republican Cental Committee and also served as chairman of
the Western Pinal County district for Republican Central
Committee.
That year at the Arizona Republican Convention he was
nominated three time from the floor to represent Pinal County at
the national convention.
It was also during this time that he was asked to join the
Maricopa Rotary Club and assumed the office of club treasurer
which he maintained for 15 years.
The Rotary club was a means for Brent to promote his passion
for education. Each year the Maricopa Rotary Club provides
scholarships to Maricopa area students for advanced learning.
In 1996, Brent joined the National Cotton Council as a member
services representative. His passion for American ideals and
his background in Arizona agriculture made for a perfect fit with
the job.
advertising consultant. While with the company he won two
Arizona Newspaper Association awards for advertising.
He also intensified his activities in the political realm. In 1994
he managed the state senatorial campaign for then state
representative Roger Hooper. He was also participated with the
Barbara Barrett for Governor effort.
In 1994 Brent wast elected treasurer of the Pinal County
Republican Cental Committee and also served as chairman of
the Western Pinal County district for Republican Central
Committee.
That year at the Arizona Republican Convention he was
nominated three time from the floor to represent Pinal County at
the national convention.
It was also during this time that he was asked to join the
Maricopa Rotary Club and assumed the office of club treasurer
which he maintained for 15 years.
The Rotary club was a means for Brent to promote his passion
for education. Each year the Maricopa Rotary Club provides
scholarships to Maricopa area students for advanced learning.
In 1996, Brent joined the National Cotton Council as a member
services representative. His passion for American ideals and
his background in Arizona agriculture made for a perfect fit with
the job.
Mrs. Sandweg's sixth
grade class 1972
grade class 1972
Tamazunchale, Mexico 1977
Maricopa High School
graduation, 1977
graduation, 1977
Coaching the swim team at
Arrowhead Pool in Chandler.
Arrowhead Pool in Chandler.
Murphree siblings - Patrick, Julie,
Curt and Brent on the old Murphree
Farm House, Maricopa
Curt and Brent on the old Murphree
Farm House, Maricopa
On the ground
after skydiving in Utah
after skydiving in Utah
Close to Heaven - Early morning
water skiing on Lake Powell
water skiing on Lake Powell
Scaring babies - Holding Delaney
on the old Murphree Farm in
Maricopa
on the old Murphree Farm in
Maricopa
Advancing Education - Presenting former Chandler High
School Principal Bob Caccamo with the Arizona Alliance for
Math, Science and Technology Education Principal of the
Year award
School Principal Bob Caccamo with the Arizona Alliance for
Math, Science and Technology Education Principal of the
Year award
Old Habits Die Hard - Motorcycles
and tacos outside of Guedo's Taco
Shop in Chandler
and tacos outside of Guedo's Taco
Shop in Chandler
Another Amazing Day - Annie
Murphree at six hours old.
Murphree at six hours old.
The Murphree Clan 2005 in front of the Historical
Murphree house in Tumbleweed Park, Chandler -
Back row; Patrick, Julie, Brent, Bethany, Jennifer.
Front; Kyle, Julie Jo, Cayden, Delaney, McKenzie,
Pennee, Annie, Pat
Murphree house in Tumbleweed Park, Chandler -
Back row; Patrick, Julie, Brent, Bethany, Jennifer.
Front; Kyle, Julie Jo, Cayden, Delaney, McKenzie,
Pennee, Annie, Pat
In 2008, he made a lateral move in the cotton industry. His new
employer, the Cotton Board, is the oversight arm of the of the
Cotton Research and Promotion Program. Instead of working
on legislative and policy issues in the west, he now works as a
Regional Communications Manager for the Cotton Board -
promoting the benefits of American cotton.
employer, the Cotton Board, is the oversight arm of the of the
Cotton Research and Promotion Program. Instead of working
on legislative and policy issues in the west, he now works as a
Regional Communications Manager for the Cotton Board -
promoting the benefits of American cotton.