Don E. Purkey

With heavy hearts and precious memories, we bid farewell to Don Elmo Purkey. He was born March 14, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ruth Woodruff Purkey and Albert Newton Purkey. He died August 3, 2010 in Pocatello, Idaho. He was a graduate of Ogden High School, Weber State College, Ogden, UT and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1943. While at the University of Utah, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He completed advanced studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Idaho.

He was a registered professional engineer, State of Ohio. During World War II he trained at Cornell University and served as a Lieutenant J.G. in the U.S. Naval Reserve aboard aircraft carriers in both the European and pacific theaters of war. He was a recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation for action in the second battle of the Philippines where his ship, the USS Santee was nearly sunk. After the war, he worked for the Allis Chalmers Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Toledo, Ohio, The FMC Corporation in Pocatello, ID and between 1956 until 1986 where he retired from the Westinghouse Idaho Nuclear Company, Chemical Processing Plant, Idaho Nuclear Engineering Laboratory in Idaho Falls, ID.

At the time of his death he was a 50 plus year member and past master of Mt. Kinport Lodge No. 95 AF & AM in Pocatello, Idaho, past District Deputy Grand Master of the sixth Masonic District in Idaho, twice the Associate Guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel #32, and a Member of Ruth Chapter No. 3 Order of Eastern Star in Pocatello, Idaho. He was a member of the Scottish Rite in Pocatello and the El Korah Shrine in Boise. He was a charter member of the Idaho Falls Community Band, where he enjoyed playing his clarinet which he enjoyed playing since high school and in his college bands. Don had enjoyed traveling the world, fishing, hunting, photography, music and reading.

He is survived by; children, Cheryl Purkey (Bill) Kalivas and Garry Lee (Sue) Purkey; grandchildren, Terrilee (Rod) Dockstader, Joshua (Michelle) Purkey and Shane (Mandi) Purkey; great-grandchildren, Justin Wheeler and Abby and Brinlee Purkey; great great-grandchildren, Kalli and Dakota Wheeler. Extended Families include step-children, Steve (Tammi) Voelker, Bobbi Bench and Brian and Brent Brown; step-grandchildren, Shalon Jones, Tiffine (Jeff) Ringstad, Steven , Dana and Ryan Voelker, Traci and Alex Kessel; step-great-grandchildren, Sabrina and Ashley Smith, Collette, Cassie, Jeffery and Jayden Ringstad.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife Alice Jugler Purkey, wife Phyllis Sathre Purkey; brother, Carroll Purkey and grandson Clint Wheeler.

Don was fourtunate to have special people caring for him " extra special thanks for the caring and compassion of Dr. Aaron Altenburg and Jody and Staff at Quail Ridge Assisted Living.

While your floral arrangements would be so kind, his only granddaughter has multiple sclerosis and if you wish, a contribution in his memory would be greatly appreciated; National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4594, New York, NY 10163-4594. Thank You.

Service information is posted under the "Service Schedule" tab above.