Kermit Weldon Gurley was born February 14, 1926 in Sayre, Oklahoma to Vera Irene and Henry Gurley. He passed away July 6, 2016 at Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 90 years, 4 months and 22 days.

Kermit grew up in Sayre and graduated from Sayre High School in 1944. After graduation he joined the Unites States Army Air Corps and was stationed in Amarillo, Texas, Scott Field, Illinois and Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he served as a radio operator mechanic and was trained to translate Morris code. After he was discharged in 1946 he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University to obtain his Bachelor's Degree in Education and later attended the University of Oklahoma where he received his Masters Degree.

Kermit began his teaching career in Hooker, Oklahoma and later at Chillicothe, Texas where he not only taught children but coached them in football. In 1955 he returned to Sayre where he was the Principal for 7 years before obtaining employment with Merritt Schools in 1962. Kermit remained at Merritt for 19 years acting as Superintendent. It wasn't until 1981 that he returned to Sayre Schools where he acted as a physical education teacher and coach. Kermit retired in the late 80's from teaching and coaching and went solely to farming his families centennial farm south of Sayre.

Kermit loved his family, but above all he loved the Lord and this was evident by the fact that he sang in the church choir for over 50 years, he was choir director for 25 years, was chairman of the administration board, served on the finance, membership, and worship committees, taught Sunday school for many years. In his early years he was the director of church activities and choirs in Vernon, Texas. Kermit also enjoyed singing, yard work, working at a boys camp in Colorado and spending time with his friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Marjorie; a baby girl Gurley; 2 sons, Britt Gurley and Jon Welk; one brother, Henry Lee Gurley; one sister, Sue Gurley Reeder; brother-in-law Clarence Reeder and a sister-in-law.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of the home; 6 children, Bill Welk and wife, Phyllis, Tulsa, OK, Bob Welk and wife, Leann, Sayre, OK, Pam Welk, Rio Vista, CA, Mike Welk and wife, Debby, Austin, TX, Tom Welk and wife, Barbara, Norman, OK and Deborah Kelly and husband, Robert, Rolla, MO; 14 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; a cousin Jo Martin, Sayre, OK; 2 nieces, Tralawny Reeder, L.A. CA., and Rick and Kelly Reeder Estus, Joplin, MO; 2 nephews Kevin and Kathy Reeder, Stillwater, OK, and Troyce and Edna "Tiny" Reeder, Alabama; 4 great nieces; 3 great nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.