Joseph Edison Gurley, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and owner of Flagship Security LLC., of Bartlett, Tennessee departed this life on Thursday August 12th, 2021.

Born December 5th, 1941 in Caruthersville, Missouri, Joe is preceded in death by his parents Durward and Frances Gurley, his brother Steven Gurley, and his sister Kay Gurley.

Joe graduated from Caruthersville High School in 1959 and Arkansas State in 1963. He joined the Shelby County Sheriff's Department in May 1968 as a patrolman, serving 39 successful years and retiring as Chief Inspector in June, 2003.

While at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, one of Joe's proudest accomplishments was the creation of the Metro DUI Squad. This unit, staffed with both Memphis Police and Shelby County Sheriff's deputies, was the first 24-hour mobile DUI testing unit in the nation. The design Joe developed became the working model adopted by many departments across the nation.

After his retirement in 2003, Joe dedicated and enjoyed the rest of his life with his beloved Sylvia (Soso), wife of 25 years, children and his grandchildren, ensuring they all became as big a Tennessee Volunteers fan as their Papa was.

Besides his loving wife, Sylvia, Joe leaves behind his children: Joseph Gurley Jr. (Midge), Jeffrey Gurley, Heather Gurley, Jessica Gurley Vasquez (Gee), Jason Jackson, and Jonathan Jackson; his grandchildren: Presley Moore, Matthew Mock, Anna Gurley, Brandon Gurley, Joey Vasquez, Brooklyn Vasquez, Julianna Vazquez, Timothy Gurley, Madison Jackson Messina (Nick), and MacLayne Jackson.

Joe also leaves behind many friends who cherished him as much as he loved them. Put best by one of his coworkers at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, "Joe was the absolute best. I was honored to work with him for 30 years. Joe never once told me a lie, or obfuscated to maintain his position. With Joe, right was right and wrong was wrong and you could count on that."

Everyone could count on Papa Joe, loved by all who knew him and now missed by all as well…