Manufactured Housing Industry Mourns the Passing of Deer Valley’s “Chet” Murphree
The manufactured housing industry has lost a valuable friend and industry contributor with the passing of Charles “Chet” Murphree, Jr., president, general manager, and one of the founders of Deer Valley Homebuilders located in Guin, Alabama
Mr. Murphree passed away at the age of 59. Services and burial were on October 28 in Hartselle, Alabama.
Gone too soon, but not forgotten; those that knew him personally and within the manufactured housing industry will have fond memories of his endearing personality, product creativity, and a “thinking out of the box” vision that has contributed to the advancement of factory-built home design and construction.
Joey Aycock, Deer Valley’s director of sales and marketing, 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.
“We all loved Chet and he loved this industry and the people he met, said Aycock. “He will be missed by many”
Chet Murphree began his manufactured housing industry career in 1994, becoming General Manager of the Energy and Lifestyle Divisions of Southern Energy Homes.
He rose to the position of Plant Manager of Clayton Homes in Savannah, Tennessee in 2013, then left to co-found Deer Valley Homebuilders in 2004. At Deer Valley, Mr.Murphree has worked as a salesperson, Sales Manager, General Manager, and Vice President, before becoming President and General Manager of Deer Valley, as well as sitting on the company’s Board of Directors.
Chet Murphree has also served on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Housing Federation and the Advisory Committee of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission. In 2015 Mr. Murphree was named by the members of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Person of the Year. He was inducted into the Alabama Manufactured Housing Industry Hall of Fame in 2017.
“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 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 through in everything he did. Our loss is truly heaven’s gain.”
He was preceded in death by daughters Kendall Paige and Kelsey Graham Murphree. He is survived by his wife Lisa Graham Murphee, daughter Carly Sample Murphee, father Charles Leroy Murphee, and nine siblings.
ManufacturedHomes.com extends our sincere condolences, prayers, and best wishes to the family, and the many friends and admirers saddened by the loss of a remarkable individual that touched all of us that knew him.
