Kenneth Maurice Gurley was born in Madison County, Alabama on November 25, 1949, to the late Perry Watkins and Mattie Louise Gurley. He peacefully entered eternal rest on August 15, 2023.
He was preceded in death by both parents and two brothers Wendell Gurley and Preston Gurley.
Loved and admired by many Kenneth leaves to cherish his precious memories, his beautiful loving wife, Angela Fontenot-Gurley; supportive caring stepsons: Lawrence A. Fontenot and Lance A. Fontenot; fun-loving step granddaughter: Jordyn Black; dedicated sisters: Linda Watkins Daniels, Gwen Watkins (Jerome) Foster, Cynthia Gurley, Brenda Gurley, Shirley Watkins Hobbs, Amanda Watkins Baker and Karen Gurley; a special cousin like a brother: Glenn Gurley; devoted sister and brother in laws: Celia M. Crutcher, Terrance Parrish, Vernon (Rochelle) Parrish, Milton (LaThres) Rice, Tramell Rice, Ken (Samantha) Williams, and Bertram (Tawanda) Williams; best friend Kenneth Smith; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special thanks to a dear friend like family, Howard Bankhead.
Kenneth possessed amazing leadership skills and a magnetic voice. When he spoke you listened, he knew how to control the “air.”
He was blessed to implement his passion through his love of music and holding various leadership roles. Kenneth Maurice Gurley, better known as Sir Gator, KG, and Gentleman K, to his listeners loved jazz music.
He presented this by way of the airwaves, as a DJ at WEUP and WLRH radio stations.
His audience loved his style of programming, including traditional, modern, big band, smooth, and jazz fusion, which was his favorite.
Kenneth was the President of the Tennessee Valley Jazz Society-Huntsville (TVJS), through his leadership, he presented some of the world’s greatest jazz educators and artists, including Roy Ayers, Freddy Cole, Ellis Marsalis, Marian McPartland, Bob Baldwin, Marion Meadows, Dave Valentin, Devere Pride, Ron Carter, Erica Essix, and Ken Watters, just to name a few.
Kenneth’s leadership with TVJS helped to improve the quality of life for the Jazz community of Huntsville Alabama. Kenneth joined the WHCAA, Inc. in 2003 where he held the position of Vice President. As the Project Manager in 2003 – 2005, he worked diligently for the “Save Council High School Building.”
As a DJ, advisor, and a compassionate community leader he inspired and helped change the lives of many throughout Madison County. He was a visionary with a passion to motivate, lead and serve his community, with integrity. Saturday night radio program on WLRH 89.3FM, has never be the same.
Kenneth retired from the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Financial Analyst for Cruise Missile Defense Systems (CMDS) Project Office, PEO Missiles and Space.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (315 Winchester Road NE, Huntsville, AL 35811) with Dr. O. Wendell Davis officiating. Interment will be in the Oakwood Memorial Gardens. Mr. Gurley will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
There will be no public viewing at the Royal Funeral Home. Mr. Gurley will only be out for public viewing from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association.
