I have some sad news. Morphy passed away in January 2026.
Husband, father, paramedic, carver of traditional bows, weaver of slings, fisherman, chess enthusiast (hence his forum handle), and longtime member of slinging.org

You will be missed, my friend.

https://www.legacy.com/legacy/joshua-graham

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Despite the fact that we both lived in Texas, I only met up with Josh twice, but two of my boys caught their first fish under his instruction.

Morphy was famous for disappearing from the forums (sometimes for over a year) before reappearing and adding his sarcastic wit to every conversation for a while… then disappearing again 😆

I’m sorry I didn’t find his obituary sooner. He stopped responding to text messages, and I didn’t even think to go look for an announcement for several months. Huge surprise this morning, but at least he has an excuse for not returning my calls 😆

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I will also mention that his sense of fashion was impeccable 😆

The first I met him in person in 2024… we were basically wearing the exact same outfit 🤣

So sad to hear this.  Morphy is a forum member from all the way back in 2010.  One of its biggest contributors.  An easy going and likable guy, but absolutely willing to butt heads with anyone when the situation called for it.

When I first joined the forum, Morphy was on one of his "breaks".  After a short time he came back and it was surprising to me how much everyone was drawn to him.  It didn't take long to find out why.  We had a bit of a back and forth on types of bow wood, and I loved the guy for it.  I wish I could have met him in the real world.

RIP Sling Brother.  We're all going to miss you.

Josh also did the artwork for the Catch This Podcast back in the day!

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Morphy was one of the most influential people on the forum for me. For a few years we texted almost daily just sharing our days experiences and chatting about random topics like bows or bushcraft.
He helped me get through a depression and challenged me to achieve better greater things.
He was directly responsible for me starting to film my slinging progression and try trickshots.
He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. We played chess online and he helped instruct me on my first ever functional selfbow. We both shared a love for the outdoors and were always planning to meet one day. He pushed me to try competitive slinging and go to Ibiza. I know he will be looking down on me encouraging me every time I sling.
His contributions to the forum are full of great insights and he really was a greatly underestimated slinger.
I’m so sad to hear of this. He was a very important part of my life. Outside of the forum we bonded over the small joys of life.
You will be missed my friend!!

Rest in peace Morphy!

Morphy was a person that I felt like I was friends with long before I ever really had any actual conversations with. I'm gutted that I never got to meet him in person. He was a very compassionate and caring person. We'll miss you, my friend.

Hearing this news hit like a ton of bricks. I've talked before about my previous career as a nurse and how it really kicked the hell out of me, but I've not said how much Morphy helped me through that time. I probably should have told him. As a paramedic, Morphy understood what healthcare work can do to you and he experienced far worse than I did. He could have one-upped any of my experiences but he didn't. He listened and advised and genuinely cared about some random guy he never got to meet on the other side of the world and what's crazy is, as Mersa has said above, he did it multiple times! He was a genuinely good person, something that can feel vanishingly rare.

One of my prized possessions, something that now has even more value to me is the throwing stick he carved and sent in exchange for a, quite frankly, mediocre sling. When it arrived and I saw how beautiful it was and considered just how much was spent to send it all the way to me, I felt embarrassed and guilty that Morphy only got a sling in return, but he was happy. His career was helping and giving and he did A LOT of overtime outside his job.

I think him being so kind and friendly is how he got away with being such a dastardly troll. I wouldn't have put it past him to fake his death, but I fear this is all too real. RIP morph. You'll be deeply missed.

Edit:
So I couldn't help it and went and made a video. I think he would have liked it.

https://youtu.be/aFKD84rckho

RIP. Always enjoyed seeing his posts on here.

Murphy, your posts were filled with humor and positivity. I hope you're in a better world now, buddy, and you're walking along the seashore in the rays of the setting sun. I really hope that we don't leave this world without a trace.

Morphy will be missed. He was very easygoing and polite but very knowledgeable. Very sad to hear this.

I expect the sling meet-ups in the afterlife will be something else. God willing, we'll see him again. And maybe in the afterlife we'll finally be able to hit what we're aiming at!

I had to do it… Morphy always appreciated the fine art of trolling the internet… the more absurd, the better! This one’s for you, Josh!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ548vrKGPD/?igsh=MWI0bXk2anFzZnpheg==

   I can't believe I'm reading this.  It's shocking.  Morphy was a good friend.  He helped to keep this forum going.  I'm at a loss for words right now. RIP Morphy.  This forum won't be the same without you.  Condolences to your family. 

Sorry to hear this. I had a little PM with him once, he seemed like a really great guy. Go with God, Morhpy.