Elgean P. “Gene” Guffey, age 85 of Wharton, died Mon. Nov 14, 2005 in Wharton. He was born Dec 21, 1919 in East Bernard, TX, the son of the late Otis Vernon Guffey and Tressa Blanch Shelton Guffey. He graduated from East Bernard High School in 1938. He joined the Navy on April 23, 1942 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He married Alice Kana on April 20, 1946 in Wharton. In 1949 he opened Guffey Packing Co., but after 27 years, the business burned to the ground. He and Alice opened Gene Guffey Real Estate in June 1981 where he worked until his retirement in 2004. Gene led a very active community and family life. His list of accomplishments epitomizes the Lions Club Motto, “We Serve”. He served as President of Wharton Lions Club, President of the Wharton County 100 Club, Commander of the VFW, President of the W.C.J.C. Booster Club, Chairman of First United Methodist Church Administrative Board and also served on its Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Wharton County Selective Service Board, served on the Wharton City Council, Mayor of Wharton, and Municipal Judge of Wharton. The City of Wharton recognized Gene with “Guffey Park” named in his honor for his dedicated service to the community.

He was a Life Member of the Boy Builders, Life Member of the Wharton County Youth Fair, Life Member of the American Legion and VFW, a Charter Member of Wharton County Crime Stoppers, Charter and Life Member of Wharton County 100 Club, Member of Wharton Masonic Lodge #621 and was a Master Mason, member of the First United Methodist Church, former member of the Texas Municipal Courts Association, member of Wharton Country Club and served on the Board of Directors and Wharton Lions Club for 53 years where in 2001, he was named a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest form of recognition conferred upon a Lion.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Thursday, Nov 17, 2005 at the First United Methodist Church with The Reverend Don Storey officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call for visitation at the Wharton Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Survivors include his wife, Alice of Wharton; daughters, Nancy O’Hearn and husband, Jim of New Braunfels, Donna Chambers and husband, Jimmie of Wharton and Carol Guffey of Houston; sons, Bob Guffey and wife, Sarah of Sugar Land and Bill Guffey of Houston; grandchildren, Scott Chambers and wife, Tammy, Todd O’Hearn, Stephanie Chambers, Casey O’Hearn, Laura Guffey and Michael Guffey; 2 great grandchildren, 2 sisters, and 1 brother.

Memorials: Wharton County 100 Club, P.O. Box 868, Wharton, TX 77488 or to the First United Methodist Church, 1717 Pioneer, Wharton, TX 77488.