Murray E. Purcell, 88, of Mexico, passed away peacefully at Pin Oaks Nursing Home in Mexico on Friday, June 30, 2023.
Murray was born Oct. 23, 1934, to James Theodore and Lora Maye (Jimerson) Purcell in Missouri’s Bootheel community of Portageville. After graduating Cape Girardeau Central High School, he attended SE Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau and was awarded a BS in Chemistry (1956). This is also where he met his future wife, Gail Pourie.
Murray and Gail were married on July 13, 1957, in St. Louis. The family home was established in Mexico where he was employed by A.P. Green Refractories – a job he took immediately after college graduation. During his 42-year career, Murray worked as a research engineer until 1962 when he became a production engineer in manufacturing. Two years later he was placed in charge of the insulating firebrick plant. In 1971, he packed-up the family for his promotion to plant manager in Sulphur Springs, Texas – a position he kept through 1975 before returning to Mexico as the manufacturing training director. He retired in 1998 as the Mexico plant engineering manager.
Murray was blessed to have been married for 62 years prior to Gail’s passing in April of 2020. Murray and Gail shared the blessing of having raised three children: Margaret Elizabeth (Purcell) Calaluce (1961), Timothy James Purcell (1962), and Scott Edmund Purcell (1964).
Murray was a voracious reader and enjoyed classic western movies. He actively involved himself in many community activities, which included the First Christian Church, Mexico Historical Society, Audrain Medical Center Auxiliary, Mexico Senior Center, among others. He attributed his longevity to staying active and engaged with the wonderful Mexico community, while also being an ardent fan of Mizzou football and basketball, as well as the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs.
His other interests included financial investing, working in the yard, bridge, and family gatherings – with emphasis on his love for six grandchildren: The children of Margaret - Daniel, Thomas and Jacqueline Calaluce; Scott - Grace and Benjamin Purcell; and Tim - Gavin Purcell.
Murray is survived by his three children – Margaret in Columbia, Tim of Milwaukee, Wisc, and Scott (wife Deborah) of Elburn, Ill; the grandchildren; and extended family members in Missouri, Texas, and Florida.
Murray was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and his beloved brothers, James Theodore Purcell, Jr., and Jay Lee Purcell.
Murray will be interred at East Lawn Memorial Park in Mexico, on a date yet to be finalized. There will be a “Celebration of Life” gathering Sunday, October 22nd location TBD.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made in his name to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund, 307 W. Jackson St., Mexico, MO, 65265.
