August 11, 1947 ~ February 12, 2021
Resided in: Dandridge, TN
Dandridge, TN – Harley Edward Shuford, 73, passed away Friday, February 12, 2021, in Dandridge.
He was born August 11, 1947, to the late Clyde Edgar Shuford and Myrtle Clark Shuford, and was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert (Bob) McGuinn and a cousin whom he considered a sister, Bearnice Estes Carmichael (Jack).
Harley is survived by his wife, Brenda Jolly Shuford; a daughter, Cynthia Shuford Sampson, son-in-law, Daryl Sampson; granddaughter, Abigail “Abby” Sampson, sister-in-law, Marian McGuinn Furlough and his 4-legged nurse, Bandi.
Mr. Shuford was an Army veteran and retired after 30 years with the Asheville Fire Department. He began with the department as a firefighter and driver for Ladder One, and later became the Asheville Fire Department’s first full-time Fire and Arson Investigator. For 18 years Harley investigated fires for many fire service agencies across Western North Carolina.
He was instrumental in creating and leading the Asheville-Buncombe Arson Task Force (ABATF) and he was a life member and former president of the NC International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. As part of his investigation duties, Harley served as a Special Deputy with the Buncombe County Sheriff Department.
Following his retirement, he served as a fire investigator for EFI Global, as an Adjunct Instructor in the Fire Science Program at A-B Tech (for 12 years) and as a Board Member of the West Buncombe Fire Department.
He and his wife Brenda have enjoyed a number of retirement years on Douglas Lake in Dandridge where he has numerous friends.
A service with Fire Department honors will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Buncombe County Chapter of FFBCF (Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund), 74 Tipperary Drive, Asheville, NC 28806 (www.FFBCF.org), or to a charity of your choosing.
Brenda and family,you are in my thoughts and prayers. Dawn calhoun
What a man. Harley was loved by any and all who knew him. Harley was a humble human being and very compassionate with anyone he came into contact with. I counted Harley as a true friend. I am very happy that his suffering is now over with and he is now living with no pain or dread of tomorrow. Rest In Peace My Friend. Brenda, know that we will be praying for you and other members of your family. Should you need any assistance of any kind I am only a phone call away.!
Lee Cook. Shine on brother!!!
My family was so blessed to have Harley and his beautiful family as our neighbors for 17 years. They were like family to us. Harley was most certainly a special person in so many ways. He will be missed by so many but we hold on to the promise of seeing him again one day. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brenda, Cynthia and family.
With Love,
Marty, Jan, Martin and Lauren Cundiff
Brenda, Cynthia and Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jeanne and Aimee Stewart
We both feel your pain and grief and want you to know you are both loved, Brenda and Cynthia.
Our thoughts are with you always. Kathy and Gordon
My sincere heart felt sympathy to Brenda and Cynthia in the loss of your love one.
Prayers for the family I knew Harley while working with APD and Sheriff’s office he was a great person to be around and to work with he will be greatly missed.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
So sorry to hear about Harley. He was such a great person! I have so many fond memories of him and the Erwin band. Harley and Brenda both worked so hard for the band program. It was always such a joy to be around them. Prayers out to Brenda, Cynthia, Daryl and the rest of the family
So sorry to read of Harley passing. Brenda you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. I think the last time I saw you was when Calvin was on the 4th floor at St.Joseph you were getting ready to retire. Love you
So sorry for your loss. Much love to Brenda and family.
Shuford Family,
I’m so very sorry to learn of your loss. I met and worked with Harley from the 1980’s until we both retired. When I transferred from Charlotte to Asheville with S.B.I. Harley was one of the first to befriend and assist me as I was learning the Western N.C. area. He was always the “go-to-guy” when working major fire/arson cases in the Asheville/Buncombe area. I will miss him..
Brenda, you and the family are on my heart. Sending comforting thoughts!
Brenda, we are so glad Harley had you for the outstanding care taker job during his health issues. You hung in there.
We are so sorry of his passing, he is at rest now. God bless.
“The best”. Those are the words many people have used to remember Harley in these days after his death. His pioneering journey into arson investigation brought many others into his footsteps, and he was always glad to show them the path! Family: thank you for sharing Harley with us as he shared so much with others. May you soon find peace. -Clint Gorman, A-B Tech.