Elzie Eugene "Gene" Purcell

© Cheyenne Star

03 Mar 2011

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Elzie Eugene "Gene" Purcell, 75 of Higgins, Texas died Sunday, January 16, 2011 at Hemphill County Hospital in Canadian, Texas.

Celebration of life services, under the direction of Parkside Chapel Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas, were held on January 19, 2011 at the Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery in Canadian, Texas.

Gene was born January 31, 1935 in Buffalo, Oklahoma to Elize Mac and Violet Purcell.

He married Bobbie Jean Walser on May 18, 1953 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Gene was a cowboy most of his life and owned and operated the Higgins Donut Shop where he was famous for his "Bloated Toad" pastry.

He was preceded in death by his wife and a brother.

Survivors include four sons, Mac Purcell and wife of Briscoe; Don Purcell and wife, Doreen; Bill Purcell and wife Darelen; and Ed Purcell and wife Jean, all of Canadian, Texas; two daughters, Becky Jones and husband J. J. of Lubbock, Texas; and Sherry Thomas and husband Paul of Amarillo; a sister, Vonda Boughan and husband Pee Wee of Higgins, Texas; thirty five grandchildren; thirty five great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; as well as other relatives and numerous friends.