Ernest Gerald Gurley was the fourth child born to Wanda Rose "Rosie" Meyer Gurley and Lee Roy "Duke" Gurley on March 12, 1947, at the home of his paternal grandparents in Biscoe, Arkansas. As a young child Ernie enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father and his brothers. Fishing and hunting would be hobbies Ernie would enjoy throughout his lifetime and pass this love on to his children and grandchildren. He loved playing baseball and was affectionately known to his childhood friends as "Banks" referring to the Chicago Cubs Ernie Banks. He was saved and baptized at an early age at the Assembly of God in Biscoe, Arkansas.

Ernie was a 1965 graduate of De Valls Bluff High School. After high school, Ernie joined the United States Navy and served in Vietnam on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He always spoke of this time in his life with fondness and was proud to have served his country. Following honorable discharge from the Navy, Ernie worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, which he referred to as "Ma Bell" as an installer/repairman where he would remain until his retirement after 34 years. He later farmed with his son, Jarrett, for 16 years until God called him home.

He was united in marriage to Bonnie Grimes Johnson on February 18, 1973, and they made their home in the Rich community. He loved Julie Johnson and Larry Don Johnson. They added a son, Jarrett, and continued to make their home in the Rich community where Ernie would continue to live out the rest of his life. He was an avid gardener and loved raising neighborhood children, peonies and roses, Labrador retrievers, pigs, ducks, rabbits, and chickens. He was a child at heart and was happiest playing with children and nieces and nephews and slinging them around in the snow behind a tractor or pulling them in a wagon. He loved birds and built wood duck boxes and houses for purple martins. Through the years he shared the bounty of his large garden with friends and neighbors. Discussing politics or how rough the dump between Brinkley and Biscoe was would raise either his blood pressure or yours.

"Papaw" has he was known to his grandchildren, had a fabulous sense of humor. He was quick to give nicknames and piggy back rides. After a brief illness with cancer and on his own terms, Ernie passed away surrounded by his family on May 10, 2023. He did it his way…..we love you.

He is survived by his Sons, Jarrett Gurley and Allison, Larry Don Johnson and Tracy of Brinkley, AR. Daughters, Julie McCauley of Clarendon, AR. Brothers, Darrel Gurley and Linda of Gulfport, MS. John Gurley and Barbara of Claremore, OK. Sister, Dianne James of Lonoke, AR. Three Grandchildren, Kemmer Gurley, Justin Johnson and Sarah Bull, Two Great Grandchildren, Cade Johnson and Royce Bull and a Sister In Law Linda Gurley of Byhalia, MS.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. at Bob Neal and Sons Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be 10:00A.M. on Monday at the Biscoe Baptist Church.