Jimmie Dale Gurley

Jimmie Dale Gurley was born October 8, 1932 in Mangum, OK the son of the late Andrew and Hester Durand Gurley.



Mr. Gurley graduated from Ingelwood High School in CA. Following graduation, he attended the School for Harmony and Theory at the University of California. Mr. Gurley was a songwriter and guitarist, and had many friends in the music industry. He was a founder and former Vice-President of Ovation Instruments, and was the primary developer of the Ovation Guitar. He also owned and operated the Dekley Pedal Steel Guitar Company and Gurley Music Center, with locations in Windsor Locks and Enfield, CT. Mr. Gurley was a member of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce and was Baptist in faith. His hobbies included hunting and fishing.



Mr. Gurley departed this life on November 18, 2012 in Adamsville, Tennessee at the age of 80 Years, 1 Month, 10 Days. He is survived by a son, Ladd Gurley of Jackson, TN; a daughter, Dani Lynn Gurley and husband Dennis of Adamsville, TN; five grandchildren: Victoria Gurley, Renee Gurley, Rocky Muirhead and wife Stephanie, Nicole Presley, and Jesse Kaylor; eleven great-grandchildren: Haley Schuster, Kayla Schuster, Tyler Neal, Jovani Marvicci, Gianna Marvicci, Lilly Fairbanks, "Little Rock" Muirhead, Grayson Kaylor, Cassidy Taylor, Brooke Gant, and Dustin Gant; a brother, Jerald G. Gurley and wife Nancy of St. Augustine, FL; and many extended family and friends.



In addition to his parents, Mr. Gurley was preceded in death by three sisters: Geneva L. Looney, Ethel Clarece Nodulski, and Mahdeen Taylor.