Former County Judge Gurley dies at age 72

Former Mississippi County Judge Joe Gurley died of Alzheimer's disease Sunday at Willard Walker Hospice in Fayetteville.

Gurley, 72, served as county judge for 12 years and was the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority director for 17 years.

Before developing Alzheimer's, Gurley lived in Blytheville his entire life. For more than 20 years, he farmed with his father in Clear Lake and Promise Land before being elected county judge.

Also before elected county judge, he was an elected member of the Mississippi County Quorum Court for three years. Following his tenure as Mississippi County Judge, Gurley went to work for the BGRAA, developing and bringing new businesses into the former Eaker Air Force Base closed by the U.S. government in 1992. Throughout his career as a public servant, he was instrumental in bringing new growth and development into Northeast Arkansas.

He was a member of many professional and development organizations. Some included the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce, the Blytheville Rotary Club, the County Judge's Association of Arkansas, the East Arkansas Planning and Development District, Mississippi County Community Foundation, and the Blytheville Leadership Institute. In addition, he held many leadership positions in community organizations and also received numerous awards and accolades for his service to his local community and beyond. Joe was also a long-time active member of the First Baptist Church in Blytheville, serving on many committees and as a deacon.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary of Blytheville. Nephew, Pastor James Haynes will bring a time of Spiritual reflection following personal tributes by Karen Green, past assistant and friend; Barry Ball, brother in law and friend and Dr. John Sullins, longtime friend. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. also in the church's sanctuary. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family would prefer that memorial contributions be given to the Willard Walker Hospice House and/or the Alzheimer's Association and/or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com