Charles “Chet” Murphree, president and general manager for Deer Valley Homebuilders, passed away Oct. 24. He was one of the founders of the company, and a primary contributor to the industry.
Mr. Murphree had been ailing. He was 59. Services and burial were on Oct. 28 in Hartselle, Ala.
Joey Aycock, Deer Valley’s director of sales, said Murphree was a great business partner and a better friend.
“Chet was a true visionary for our company and our industry as well. His creative designs along with the ability to stay within the confines of factory-built production techniques exemplified the direction our industry is headed,” Aycock said. “He always had a passion for designing homes that would put our company and industry in a different light.
“We all loved Chet and he loved this industry and the people he met,” Aycock said. “He will be missed by many.”
Mr. Murphree was born May 8, 1961, in Morgan County, Ala., to Charles Leroy Murphree and Elizabeth Ann Sample. He graduated from Decatur High School and of the University of Alabama-Hunstville. Along with being president and general manager of Deer Valley Homebuilders, he was one of the company founders and served on the board of directors.
Involvement in Industry Advancement
Mr. Murphree was Person of the Year for the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission in 2015. He was inducted into the Alabama Manufactured Housing Industry Hall of Fame in 2017. He served on the Alabama State Board for Manufactured Housing and on the board for the Alabama Housing Foundation.
“Chet Murphree had such an impact on our industry, not just with Deer Valley but also serving on our state SAA’s Advisory Board and on the board of our charitable foundation,” Alabama Manufactured Housing Association Executive Director Lance Latham said. “He was always thinking about others, and trying to help those in need. His devout faith in Jesus Christ showed though in everything he did. Our loss is truly heaven’s gain.”
Mr. Murphree also served on the board of Real Party Ministry.
He was preceded in death by daughters Kendall Page and Kelsey Graham Murphree. He is survived by his wife Lisa Graham Murphree, daughter Carly Sample Murphree, father Charles Leroy Murphree, and nine siblings.
Donations may be made to Real Party Ministry, P.O. Box 2302, Hamilton, AL 35570.
