Obituary of JOHN PURIFOY GULLEY, JR.

John Purifoy Gulley Jr., (80) passed away into heaven peacefully on February 19, 2015. He was born March 18, 1934, in Shreveport, Louisiana. John moved to Houston, Texas, when he was 10 years old. He attended Aldine High School and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1952 where he excelled in JROTC and Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, Camp Strake Boy Scout Camp counselor). At The University of Texas at Austin, he was a member of the Confederate Guard and organized the Swing and Turn Square Dance Club, performing in events and serving as square dance caller. Drafted into the Army, he worked in the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at West Point Military Academy, New York, where he also became the Youth Director for the officer's teens. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to his studies at UT, graduating in 1961 with his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Personnel Management. He became a certified YMCA Director while working as a manager at Foley's. He served several years at the North Shore YMCA, Houston, as Assistant Director, later becoming Longview YMCA Director in Kansas City (Hickman Mills), Missouri, in 1965. He returned to Houston in 1970 and opened his own printing company, Print 'n Mail, housed in the Downtown YMCA. In the early 1970's, John became a real estate broker and owned his own agency, John Gulley & Co, enjoying most of his career in commercial and residential real estate until his retirement to Galveston in 2000. John was a longtime member of First Methodist Church, Houston, where he met Mary Louise in the Graduate and Professional Singles Class, soon marrying her on March 24, 1963, 51 years ago. Together they helped form the Pathfinders Couples Class and he served as past President. His community involvement also included Moody Methodist Church in Galveston, Sunday School teacher, Bernardo de Galvez Chapter No. 1 Sons of The American Revolution past President, and earned membership to the Jamestowne Society, First Texas Company. John served as a Precinct Chair, Election Judge, and delegate for the Harris County Republican Party for many years. His interests extended to genealogy, travel, model trains, chess, jewelry making, and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. His passion was cruise travel. John's last cruise was November 2012 when he cruised for seven days up the East Coast from Boston to Nova Scotia followed by time in New York City for a couple of Broadway shows and a flight to Rome. After five days of sightseeing in Italy, he cruised 17 days via many ports of call across the Atlantic from Rome to Galveston with his wife, daughter, and a family friend. He is survived by wife Mary Louise (Meyers) Gulley; daughter, Lynnette Louise Gulley; son, John P. (Trip) Gulley III, wife, Danelle, and grandson, Jack, all of Houston; brother, Gary Mike Gulley of Beaumont; and John's dog, Lola. There are numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins who also mourn his passing. John is preceded in death by his parents, Cloye Mae "Peggy" (Cupples) and John P. Gulley Sr.; his brother, Ralph Preston Gulley, and dogs Celtie and Missie. The family would like to thank Houston Hospice, inpatient and outpatient care, especially the Purple Team of Karen, Jim, Ana, Kris, and Dr. Gary Erwin, and the caregivers of Helen's Care Cottages, most notably Shamika, all who took loving care of him physically and spiritually, and strengthened his family during this time. Many thanks also to the family, friends, and First Methodist ministers who visited him and prayed for John's immediate family during these months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Methodist Church Houston, Attn: First Choice Television Ministry, 1320 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002, or to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030-4123. The memorial service will be in the First Methodist Church sanctuary (1320 Main St., Houston) on Friday, February 27, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a lunch reception in the Fellowship Hall. A graveside veteran's service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery on Monday, March 2, at 10:45 a.m.