Obituary - Arthur John Purcell Sr

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Arthur Purcell, 85

Retired Maj. Arthur J. Purcell, U.S. Air Force, died Dec. 26, 2006, at St. Timothy Home in Anchorage of natural causes.

A memorial service and burial will be in the spring at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Mr. Purcell was born March 4, 1921, in Los Angeles to Alice and Fred Purcell.

He graduated from high school in Elma, Wash.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, 735th Tank Battalion, landing at Normandy. He saw combat in Central Europe until the end of the war.

From 1946 until 1961, Mr. Purcell was with the Army Air Corps, then the U.S. Air Force as a ground safety officer stationed in Panama, Alaska, California and Minnesota.

In July 1951, he was transferred again to Alaska, and with his family in tow, he pulled a travel trailer up the Alaska Highway.

Mr. Purcell was employed with the U.S. Civil Service from 1961 until 1986 as a ground safety inspector for the U.S. Army in Alaska, Germany and Vietnam.

Arthur was a member of the Eagles Lodge, American Legion, National Rifle Association, Retired Officers Association, Army Lodge (Masonic Body), Scottish Rite and Boy Scouts of America.

He loved fishing in Alaska and wildflower gardening.

Mr. Purcell is survived by his sister, Juanita Ostergard of Washington; sons, Arthur John Purcell Jr. and wife Adriene of Texas, Mike H. Purcell and wife Toni of Alaska, and Chris Purcell of Washington; daughter, Gretchen Walker of Washington; stepdaughter, Karen Wilson and husband Jim of New Mexico; and former wife, Jeanette Fleenor Purcell of Washington.

Mr. Purcell was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Ellen M. Purcell.

The family is grateful to Romy and Irene at Saint Timothy Home for the loving care Mr. Purcell received there.