Murl Guffey

Murl Buefford Guffey, age 95 of Kirksville, MO passed peacefully into God’s arms on July 4, 2017 at Twin Pines Adult Care Center. He died of the gift of old age.

Murl was born July 26, 1921 in Pennville, MO, the son of Frank and Stella Guffey. He lived most of his life in the Pennville area and attended the Burns School. On January 10, 1942, he was united in marriage to Tharon Keller at Milan, MO by Pastor C.L. Roland of the Assembly of God Church. Most of their married life was spent on their farm close to Pennville.

At a young age, Murl accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and throughout his life honored Him through music.

At the age of 15, Murl took guitar lessons and later became a self-taught mandolin player. God blessed him with an amazing gift for playing music. In 1946, Murl and Tharon began singing on KIRX radio in Kirksville, just 3 days after the AM station hit the airwaves. This was the beginning of a life-long gospel singing career. In 1948, they moved to Del Rio, TX where their music hummed over five different radio stations. Their radio broadcast has been heard in every state and 14 countries. They returned to their farm in 1959. In 1960, they began an 18 year career on KTVO television where Country Style Gospel Time was born. Their television program included Murl and Tharon, their four children, and daughter-in-law. Later, their grandchildren joined them. They returned to KIRX radio in 1992 where their program continued to air until 2015. Murl had a singing/musical career that spanned 69 years. This musical team compiled and published (10) gospel songbooks and released (2) albums.

In addition to Murl’s musical career, he was an avid salesman. He sold Bibles, insurance, and modular homes. Murl enjoyed playing cards, riding around his farm on his 4-wheeler, and was an enthusiastic mushroom hunter.

Murl is survived by a son, Larry Guffey and wife, Annie of Green City, MO; a daughter, Sharon Phipps and husband, Jerry of Kirksville, MO; a son, Terry Guffey of Atlanta, GA; and a daughter, Murline O’Brien and husband, Mark of Unionville, MO; nine grandchildren, Trisha Buck, Robin Feeney, Dawn Vieth, Brian Guffey, Tina Kempker, Lisa Stevens, Jeffrey Phipps, Matthew O’Brien, and Melody O’Brien; twenty-two great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Tharon; four sisters, Arvilla Wilcox, Clara Dixon, Irene Johnson, and Reta Baldwin; two brothers, Marvin Guffey and Kenneth Guffey; two grandchildren, Peggy Guffey and Michelle O’Brien; and one great granddaughter, Brandi Buck.
Murl had a “million dollar smile” and a great sense of humor. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO.

A service honoring Murl’s life will be held on Monday, July 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville with Pastor Robert Shaffer officiating. Music will be provided by Rhonda Vincent. Interment will be in Green Castle Cemetery, Green Castle, MO.

Pallbearers will be Matthew O’Brien, Jeffrey Phipps, Keith Buck, Zack LoPresto, Garrett O’Brien, and Gavin Crowe.

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials contributions may be made to the Green Castle Cemetery or Twin Pines Adult Care Center Christmas Fund.