Thomas Murfin: ground-level diplomat

Thomas Hawes Murfin, a state senator's son who enjoyed a satisfying career as a State Department diplomat in Japan and Italy, went far beyond the example set by his father in public service.

Mr. Murfin got down among refugees on Okinawa and helped them build new lives, from the mud up, during and after World War II.

He served as U.S. consul general at embassies in Japan and Italy from 1962 to 1973.

When he lived in Olympia from 1973 to 1986, he assisted refugees from China and Southeast Asia and worked for pacifist causes. Then he bought a farm in Bellingham and a small house in Seattle.

"He was very gentle, very family-oriented and always ready to help anybody," said his wife of 58 years, Julie Murfin of Seattle.

Mr. Murfin died Saturday (Jan. 22) of leukemia. He was 84.

During his illness, many refugees he had helped would call or visit. One former "boat person," only 12 when she left Vietnam, but now, thanks to his support, an oral surgeon in Georgia, flew here recently to sit at his bedside.

"She had been scared of her first day at an American school, so my father picked her up, drove her to school, gave her a new pencil box and took her picture, which made her very happy," said his daughter Mary Murfin Bayley, Seattle Times dance critic.

Born in Sunnyside, Yakima County, to newspaper publisher and later senator Arthur Murfin and Adella Hawes Murfin, he enjoyed hiking and trail building. He learned Japanese and developed a love of Asian culture from a woman who ran a Sunnyside laundry.

He earned a bachelor's degree in foreign studies at the University of Washington, then served in Okinawa. Later, he joined the U.S. Diplomatic Service with postings abroad.

He retired in 1973 and put his pacifist thoughts into action. He was a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, committed to peace and justice.

He also helped war-displaced Southeast Asians resettle in the Northwest.

Fifteen years ago, Mr. Murfin purchased the farm in Bellingham. He spent winters in Seattle.

"He spent all those years in the diplomatic corps, but just loved farming and the outdoors," Bayley said.

Also surviving are his children Asaph Murfin of Amherst, Mass.; James Murfin, Missoula, Mont.; and Julie Pielemeier, Arlington; a brother, Richard Murfin, Ilwaco, Pacific County; sister, Mariem Brumbach, Scott Depot, W.Va.; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bellingham. Donations may go to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109.

Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.co.