Gene McPherson age 90 of Norman, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Sunset Estates Nursing Home in Purcell.

He was born August 11, 1925, west of Purcell, OK near Woody Chapel. Gene was the 7th child of eight children born to Lewis Ford McPherson and Evie Mae (Sanderson) McPherson. Gene grew up a farm boy and attended a one- room school near Woody Chapel. The school closed in the late 1930’s. He finished his schooling at Washington, graduating in 1943, lettering Basketball. As a farm boy, he learned how to work hard, picking cotton, milking cows and tilling the land with horses and mules.

After high school, Gene was drafted into the U. S. Army during WWII, serving time in the Philippines, pulling guard duty and cooking for a POW Camp for Japanese prisoners. After being honorably discharges in 1946, he returned home and went to work for E. O. Dobbins at the John Deere Dealership in Purcell. In the early 1950’s Gene opened the John Deere implement dealership in Norman. Three years later he purchased the dealership in Purcell from Dobbins. The new building in Sand Town, Purcell was built in the 1970’s. In Norman a bigger John Deere location was built at 36th and West Main. He also purchased a machine shop that is still in operation as McPherson Machine Shop on Hwy 9. Gene always thought of himself as a farmer. Over the years he purchased several farms near the town of Goldsby where he also built a home in the late 1970’s. Being part of the Goldsby community, Gene served on various boards, was Mayor of Goldsby for 12 years, helped in the formation of a volunteer fire department, the development of water resources for the town, and helped with the conversion of the old Naval Airport to a Town of Goldsby Airport now called the “David J. Perry Airport.” Not only a farmer and business man, Gene served on the boards of the Red Cross, and the Cleveland County YMCA. He was a member of the Norman Rotary Club for 60 years, and served as Norman Rotary Club president, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He also was a contributor to the Norman Regional Hospital. Gene was a faithful Christian man and was an active member of the Westside Church of Christ in Norman. Gene married Sylvia Jean Tefertiller on August 24, 1944. To this union seven children were born. He was a proud supporter of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s school activities including 4 H and FFA and the Norman Public Schools Music programs. Because of his failing health, for the past two years he has been a resident at the Sunset Estates Nursing Home in Purcell where he was constantly looked after by his family.

Gene was preceded in death by: Parents, Lewis and Evie McPherson; Wife, Sylvia McPherson on Sept. 26, 2010; Four brothers, Lynn, Neil, Ray and Leon McPherson, Three sisters, Virginia Adams Ashley, Myrlene Waggoner and Mae Staggs; A son-in-law, Jim Stanlick in 2010; An infant daughter, Lisa Gay McPherson;

He is survived by: One son, Thomas McPherson and wife, Lynda of Norman, Five daughters, Carolyn Wade and husband Lee of OKC, Nancy Nall and husband Paul of Greenville, TX, Pamela Stanlick of Purcell, Cheryl Pitts and husband Ron of Bartlesville, OK, Anita Marshall and husband Paul of St. Petersberg, FL; Two sisters-in-law, Bernice McPherson of Norman, Nona McPherson Morrison of Guthrie; 21 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 11 great great grandchildren, Numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements are with Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016 from 6-8pm at the Westside Church of Christ in Norman, followed by a Funeral Service at the church on Saturday, March 19th at 10:00am. His interment will be at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell. Memorials may be made in his memory to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. You may send online condolences @wilsonlittle