Danny Guffey of Heber Springs formerly of Newport, departed this life at his home on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the age of 74. He was born October 15, 1947, in Newport the youngest of five children born to Woodrow Wilson Guffey and Mabel Hammond Guffey.
He was a 1965 graduate of Grubbs High School where he was a proud Bluejay. Following graduation, Danny joined the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam, specializing in Army artillery. Danny was recognized for his expert marksmanship and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with five Bronze Stars. He was also awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Danny was a member of the Collier-Massey Post 4683 V.F.W. and the Neil-Griffin American Legion Post 47.
In 1970, He began working as a lineman for Farmers Electric Cooperative and retired in 1996 as a Construction Superintendent. Never a stranger to hard work, his idea of retirement was to work as farm manager for the next 11 years for Sonny and Darrin Hutchinson on the Hutchinson Farms.
He was a Christian. He was saved and baptized at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Newport, where he was a member until moving to Heber Springs where he became a member of the Southside Baptist Church.
He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed hunting, especially dove, deer, and squirrel. He also enjoyed fishing and a good fishing hole was one of his favorite places to be. Danny loved raising hunting dogs and letting them run deer during deer season. He loved spending time with young kids teaching them to hunt and fish and dress out their kill.
Danny was always busy, running cows, horses, and goats, gardening and working around the yard keeping everything around the home he loved so much looking good. Danny loved going to the Chuck-wagon races and horse shows. He found great joy in sharing his garden with neighbors and friends.
His greatest love was his family. He especially loved time spent with them on the lake, camping and cooking out together. Danny and Lydia loved and were so proud of their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
He will forever be remembered for his tremendous work ethic, his love of the outdoors, and his great love for his family and many friends.
Danny was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Levelle Guffey.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lydia (Doyle) Guffey, of the home; two daughters, Danna Sue Barkley and husband, Barry, of Jonesboro, Jill Elizabeth Gibson and husband, Rob, of Jonesboro; three step sons, Chad Harris of Newport, Josh Harris and significant other, Terri Riley of Newport, and Zach Harris of Jonesboro; and six grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa”, Drew Guffey, Luke Barkley, Ryder Gibson, Aubrey Shipman, Harper Harris, and Hayes Harris. Also, surviving is one brother, Gerald Wayne Guffey of Pitts; two sisters, Bobbie Dean Meiner and Carolyn Sue Grady, both of Hazen; two brothers-in-law, Mickey Doyle and wife, Tinker, and Gil Doyle; one sister-in-law, Fonda Doyle; seven nephews, Randy Guffey and wife, Delana, Kenny Guffey and wife, Rhonda, and Keith Guffey and significant other, Renee Kieffer, Justin Doyle and wife, Megan, Nick Doyle and wife, Jordan, Kolby Burton and fiancé, Ana Williams, and Hunter Doyle; three nieces, Suanne Hazelwood, Kim Smith, and Kori Cloud and husband, Rodney; and three great-nieces whom he loved like grandchildren, who knew and loved him as “Papa”, Matti Stevens, Sophie Staggs, and Raeleigh Cloud.
Honorary pallbearers are Gene Sweatt, Darrin Hutchinson, Glenn Hill, Birdell Alumbaugh, Skeeter Grady, Barney McCoy, Tommy Gower, and Darrell Massey.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Hannah and Renee with Arkansas Hospice, Chaplain Ron, Kindred Home Health, and Dusty Watkins for their dedicated care of Danny.
Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Southside Baptist Church with service to follow at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Elwin Ollar.
