James "Mel" Pulley

James ‘Mel’ Melvin Pulley died Friday, September 11, 2015 at his home in Bolivar,Missouri. He leaves behind a loving wife of 54 years, Gretchen Jewell Pulley, three daughters: Paula Pulley Hubbert, Ann Pulley Paris, and Lory Pulley Warren, two soninlaws: Steve Hubbert and John Warren, six grandchildren: Ashton Paris and his wife Jennifer Paris, Ian Paris,Christian Paris, Francie Hubbert, John Hubbert, and Lucy Warren, two great grandchildren: Zegan Paris, and Zoey Paris, and his sister, Jaunice Pulley. Mel is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mel was preceded in death by his parents: Josie Lee and James Percy Pulley, and five brothers: JP Pulley, Leon Pulley, Claude ‘Buddy’ Pulley, Lamar Pulley, and Dan Pulley. Mel was born in Stonewall, Mississippi on August 3, 1933, where he graduated from Stonewall High School in 1951, he attended Jones County Junior College on a football scholarship where he and his teammates played for the Junior College National Championship in the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. That team was later inducted into the National Junior College Hall of Fame. Mel graduated from University of Southern Mississippi in 1958 and went to teach high school in Mississippi and Minnesota. In the summer of 1960, he took a job driving a tour bus for Yellowstone National Park, where he met the love of his life and was married to Gretchen Jewell in 1961. He taught for 15 years and coached football, basketball, and baseball for a cumulative 12 years in Minnesota. After teaching school for 15 years, he owned and operated eight radio stations throughout the Midwest. He and his wife and three daughters moved to Bolivar, Missouri in 1978. Most of his personal joys and experiences came from owning and operating KYOO AM/FM radio in Bolivar, and hosting the goofy, fun, eclectic radio show, Swap Shop. His true love of sports showed through whenever he picked up a microphone and did play by play for any and every local sports, being the voice of Liberator and Bearcat football, basketball, and baseball games for many years. He also spent many nights broadcasting from schools and colleges from every corner of the ozarks imaginable and everywhere in between. Mel found the most professional fulfillment in the relationships he built with his listeners. He truly encompasses the American Dream of being a self made man, having the heart of the community, and helping to encourage others fulfill their dreams as well. A visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2015 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Butler Funeral Home Chapel in Bolivar. Funeral Service will be held 10:00 am Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Butler Funeral Home with Rev. Billy Russell officiating. Burial to follow at the Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Bolivar. Services for Mr. Pulley are under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar Missouri. Following services at the cemetery Mel's grandson Christian has requested that anyone interested in smoking a cigar in Mel's honor to please bring a cigar and smoke a cigar after the burial. The Family suggests memorial contributions be made to CMH Heart Center. Friends and Family may send private condolences or sign the guestbook at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

James "Mel" Pulley

August 3, 1933 - September 11, 2015