Leo Lavonzo Purdy

October 30, 1936 - October 01, 2013

Leo Lavonzo Purdy

October 30, 1936 - October 01, 2013

Obituary

Leo Purdy was born in Terra Haute, Indiana to Herschel and Mary Purdy. He is their 3rd child, the oldest son. He has 3 brothers younger than himself. He joined the Navy during the Korean War were he worked on airplanes on an air craft carrier, he loved planes the rest of his life. During his time in the navy his sent his checks home to his mother to help support the large family he left behind, he loved his family very much and was always devoted to them. His family moved to Tulsa while he was an enlisted and when his time was up he also relocated here, but he remained in the Reserves for several more years. Shortly after coming to Tulsa he meets his wife Loletta Meyer at a skating rink, the Continental, on 11th street. He went there with his 3 pesky brothers, Billy Joe, Larry, and Frank. He caught Loletta’s eye and when they called the Sadie Hawkins dance, the one were the girl ask the boy to dance, she skated right up to him and asked him to skate with her, from then on they could not be separated. He went to meet her parents and worked on several cars in their yard and won their approval, and they were married September 4, 1959. Leo and Loletta had 3 children, Kelly, Pat and Steven. Leo was a very devoted father and loved his 3 children with all his heart. He taught them everything they needed to survive in this world, and then some. He was hard working man and provided well for his family. He worked at Crane Carrier Company for 26 years; he started out as a janitor and worked his way to upper management. During this time he and a friend Dave Snelling took an electronic course from home were they both graduated and become electrician. When Crane Carrier down sized and Leo was laid off he went to Gaso-Wheatly where he worked for around 10 years and was also laid off from this job. He then worked for the City of Sand Springs in the water department, he retired from there. Even though he was retired they would call him and ask him how to do something and he would walk them through it. After retiring he devoted his time to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He would attend graduations, ball games, and any activity they were involved with. If any of them needed his help, financially, working on an automobile or anything else all they had to do was call their grandpa and he would be there. Leo loved to do anything outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, archery and many more things. When he couldn’t do one of these activities he could be found out in his yard “tinkering around”. He had to always be doing something. He was a man who was adored by his family. He will be greatly missed. Leo is survived by; his loving wife of 54 years, Loletta, 3 children, Kelly McCurley, Patricia & husband David Kinney and Steven Lee Purdy. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren, Michael, Bobby, Quincy, Brian, Tony, Elizabeth, Alex, Ayla, Kirstie, Summer, Willow and Hailey; 12 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Claudia, Madison, Nathan, Lexee, Megan, Amanda, Hailea, Kynlee, Preston, Sky and Gannon; Brothers, Frank & wife Sally Purdy, Bill & wife Marie Purdy; brother-in-law, Robert & wife Da Meyer; sister-in-law, Virginia Meyer; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family. He was preceded in death by; his parents; sisters, Norma & Nancy; a brother, Larry and a great-grandson, Skylar. Please sign the guestbook and share a memory.

Funeral Service

  • Date & Time: October 5, 2013 (11:00 AM)
  • Venue: Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
  • Location: 2103 E 3rd St Tulsa, OK 74104 - (Get Directions)

Visitation

  • Date & Time: No Date & Time
  • Venue: Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
  • Location: 2103 E 3rd St Tulsa, OK 74104 - (Get Directions)

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21 responses to Leo Lavonzo Purdy

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  1. James Smith says:

    So sorry for you loss. Leo was my friend and mentor. I started work at Wheatley Gaso at 19 and he took me under his wing for the 10 years we worked together. We stayed in touch through phone calls, emails and facebook. Leo will be missed by all who knew him.

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