John Murphy, who for 40 years was president of Spokane’s Central Pre-Mix Concrete Co., died Sunday at the age of 91. Murphy headed the Spokane-based business as it grew from a single office to a regional company with operations today in 10 Northwest cities.

Central Pre-Mix is a major producer of asphalt and concrete used across the Northwest. It was acquired in 1997 by Oldcastle Materials, the American holding company of Ireland-based CHR PLC.

“He was very growth-oriented, he led us through our primary growth years,” said Dan Murphy, who retired last year as president of Central Pre-Mix and is one of John Murphy’s three sons.

William Murphy, John’s father, started Central Pre-Mix in 1930. John Murphy took over as president in 1959 and held that post until 1980, said Dan Murphy.

During his tenure, Central Pre-Mix acquired numerous other companies, including Inland Asphalt, Union Sand and Gravel and Interstate Concrete of Coeur d’Alene. Central Pre-Mix has about 400 workers in Spokane and North Idaho today.

Murphy retired in 1985 but kept an office at the company’s Spokane Valley headquarters until two years ago, said his son.

“He was also a major community philanthropist, with his primary concerns United Way and area education,” Dan Murphy said.

A graduate of Washington State University, Murphy was a longtime benefactor of the school, as well as a big contributor to other colleges, including Gonzaga University, his son said.

Murphy was also honored in the 1950s by the National Sand and Gravel Association, which named him its president. He served in that national group for more than a dozen years, according to newspaper articles about his career.

After his retirement, Murphy remained active as a board member for Sacred Heart Medical Center and Seattle First National Bank.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 1 p.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Spokane.