Robert Lynn Murphy

January 26, 2026

Robert Lynn Murphy, known as Lynn, 69, a lifelong resident of Clinton, passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from congestive heart failure.

Lynn was a graduate of Clinton Senior High School, Class of 1974. He later earned a degree in criminal justice from Walters State Community College and graduated magna cum laude in political science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

A dedicated public servant, Lynn began his career after high school as a 911 dispatcher for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and became the first 18-year-old to complete the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in Donelson. He went on to serve as a patrol officer, supervisor, training officer and detective. While working full time as a deputy, Lynn also volunteered as a firefighter for the city of Clinton.

In 1988, he made a career change, becoming a Clinton firefighter and emergency medical technician, eventually reaching the rank of assistant chief. For many years, Lynn spent his vacation time serving as an adjunct instructor for the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy. He was part of an East Tennessee instructor team recognized by then-Gov. Don Sundquist for teaching the first live-burn firefighting class at the newly opened Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Enforcement Academy training facility in Bell Buckle.

Lynn later served as director of the City of Clinton Emergency 911 before becoming director of public works for the City of Clinton, where he worked tirelessly for 19 years. He retired as director in 2018 after more than 40 years of service in local government. At the time of his death, Lynn was serving as a local government consultant for the City of Clinton.

Lynn was the son of the late Robert and Ruth Murphy of Clinton.

He is survived by his daughter, Lyndsai; siblings, Stephen and Deborah; and many friends he considered family.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no public memorial service. In Lynn’s memory, he requested that donations of time or money be made to the Anderson County Animal Rescue Foundation, P.O. Box 181, Clinton, TN 37717, (acanimalrescuefoundation.org) or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Cremation Options Inc.