Former Daily Pilot Editor Thomas Murphine Dies
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COSTA MESA — Thomas Murphine, former managing editor of the Daily Pilot, died Thursday of cancer. He was 68.
Despite his illness, he had continued to teach journalism at Orange Coast College until September. He also supervised the production of the campus newspaper, the Coast Report.
Murphine joined the staff of the Daily Pilot in the 1960s and left in the mid-1980s to teach.
He was well-known among local journalists; over the years, numerous reporters, editors and photographers had worked under his tutelage at the paper.
A graduate of San Jose State University, he was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
After battling cancer for three years, Murphine died at home, with his wife, Joan, by his side. He also is survived by three sons and three daughters.
No services are scheduled. Contributions can be made to the Tom Murphine Scholarship Fund at Laguna Beach High School or to the Orange Coast College general scholarship fund.
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