Danny Eugene "Gene" Guffey

Danny Eugene “Gene” Guffey passed away at his home on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the age of 91, after a six-year battle with cancer. Gene was a native of Riceville, TN, and a long-time resident of Baton Rouge, LA. He was born October 8, 1932, one of eight children to the union of Robert and Rose Womac Guffey. 

Gene is survived by his wife of 54 years, Glenda Allen Guffey; two sons, Gene Allen Guffey, (Peyton) of Watson, LA and Greg Guffey (Chrystal) of Palm Coast, Florida. He was proud “Papa” of five grandchildren; Sean, Catherine, Landon, Alaina, and Sarah; two sisters, Joy Gremillion (Frank), Patricia Guffey Castilaw, brother Richard Guffey, Kenner, LA, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; James Lynn Guffey, Dr. Wayne Guffey and Jerry Guffey; a sister, Mary Ann Duke, brother-in-law, Earl Castilaw and nephew, Patrick Guffey. 

Gene graduated from Istrouma High School in 1951 and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After returning from the military, he attended Southeastern University, and received a BA from the University of Southern Mississippi. He had a long career in the insurance industry, having started out as a claims adjuster, and later, as an agent for Wright & Percy Insurance Agency. 

In 1974, he started Guffey Insurance Agency, Inc., which he sold and retired in 2021. Gene served on several insurance boards, was a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Louisiana and the Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana, where he served as Local and State President. One of his favorite times of the year was attending the PIA Convention held at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. He touched many lives in the insurance industry as a mentor and a friend. 

Gene was elected three terms to the Republican State Central Committee and was a member of the Reagan Round Table. He loved all LSU sports. Gene began playing on men’s softball leagues as a young adult and continued to play on senior league teams that he proudly sponsored until the age of 75. He was a long-time member of Foxy’s Health Club, Esporta Fitness, and the unofficial CC’s Coffee Club, where he met with a special group of friends every morning for over 12 years to “solve the world’s problems”. Gene was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church for 51 years, serving as a faithful member and Deacon. 

A celebration of life will be held at Broadmoor Baptist Church, 9755 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M., memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Dr. Leonard Ezell, Reverend Bobby Rayburn, and Reverend Darryl Tate will be officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the CC’s Coffee Club.