James Edwin Guffey Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James Edwin Guffey age 83 of Dayton and formerly of Athens died at his home early Thursday morning, November 10, 2016. James was born in Olympia, WA on June 30, 1933. He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma (Schultze) Guffey, father, Lewis Guffey, stepmother Ella Mae (Reese) Guffey, daughter, Catherine (Guffey) Simpson and brother, Wiliam Lyle Guffey. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Hawkins Guffey of Dayton, TN; sister, Susan Guffey Plaster (Allen) of Smyrna, Georgia; brother, Marvin Guffey (Marjorie) of Athens, TN; granddaughters, Felicia Simpson Clapp (Alan) of Knoxville, TN; and Alexis Simpson of Athens, TN. He was a graduate of McMinn High School, earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Tennessee Wesleyan College and then his Master of Arts in Education from Union College in Barbourville, KY. Jim served his country with the US Army with the 82nd Airborne Division during the Korean Conflict and then was a school teacher for many years in McMinn County school system at E.K. Baker, Claxton and Riceville schools. He also received awards for maintaining the Guffey-Shell Cemetery in Athens and his volunteer work at Riceville Elementary and E.K. Baker schools. Jim had been a UT football season ticket holder for 45 years. Jim lived in Athens for many years where he was a member of the Central Baptist Church. In 1997 he moved to Dayton where he became a member of the New Union Baptist Church. Funeral services for Jim will be held Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm in the funeral home chapel with his pastors Rev. Rob Armstrong and Dr. Danny Ruehling officiating. He will be laid to rest in Buttram Cemetery with military honors followed by a white dove release. Please share your memories of Jim on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com. Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to either the New Union Baptist Church or to the Women at the Well Ministry, 881 County Road 655, Athens, TN 37303. The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton where they will receive friends Sunday afternoon after 1:00pm.

James Edwin Guffey

June 30, 1933 - November 10, 2016