Alfred "A.J." John Purswell

A.J. graduated from High School in Frier, Texas. After high school, A.J. went to work for Humble Oil and Refining Company. While with Humble, he moved to Odessa, Texas where he met Wanda in Bible class and they married in 1956. Soon after they married, A.J. served in the Army for two years where he was a dental assistant. He loved this assignment and told many funny stories about that experience. After his service in the Army, he went back to work for Humble Oil. He and Wanda moved around many times over the early years of their marriage and his career while making dear friends everywhere they went. During their time in the Rio Grande Valley, they had two daughters, Janet and Judy. A.J. was promoted to supervise the Off Shore Exploration Group in the corporate office in Houston where they lived for several years. Then in 1973, they settled in Conroe while A.J. continued working for Humble Oil which later became ExxonMobil. After 38 years of dedicated service, he retired in 1990. After retiring, A.J. and Wanda moved to Mena, Arkansas where they bought and restored a beautiful Victorian home built in 1901. This was a project that they both truly enjoyed. They became very involved in the Church at Mena and volunteered for several organizations where they served for 21 years. They moved back to Conroe to be closer to family in 2017.

A.J. enjoyed working around his home building things and keeping his place in the world beautiful. He also loved hunting and fishing with his coworkers while working at Exxon. After retirement, he purchased a Gold Wing Motorcycle. A.J., along with some dear friends (Sometime even Wanda), would take off on long trips to explore this beautiful country. A.J. made many trips visiting every state except Alaska on his bike. A.J. served as a deacon at Frazier Street Church of Christ and Northside Church of Christ in Mena. He loved to serve in many ministries and also helping people anytime he could. A.J. loved God, his family and his work. He was a devoted husband and father. He was a kind, patient, outgoing man who never met a stranger. He loved to tell stories about his time out in the field for Humble Oil and other stories surrounding his work.

A.J. was preceded in death by his father Fred Purswell, his mother Myrtle Thompson and step father Floren Thompson, his Mother and Father-in-law Pauline and Bert Wyrick. All three of his sisters and their spouses, Velma and Lloyd Matthews, Jo and Winston “Wynn” Johnson, Jean and Robert Carter and his brother-in-law Bennie Sweet.

A.J. is survived by his wife of 66 years, Wanda Purswell, his two daughters and his son in laws, Janet and Mark Lamp and Judy and Henry Hajek. His five grandchildren, Sarah German and her husband James, Travis Lamp, Connor Hajek and his wife Kim, John-Chaney Hajek and Hannah Hajek. His five great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Adalin and Kaydence German, Payton, Brantley and Nolan Hajek. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Celebration of life will be held on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 2:00pm in Cashner Colonial Hall with Pastor Steve Yates officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Southern Christian Children’s Home https://schome.org/ or Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort https://www.disasterreliefeffort.org/.

Please sign and add your favorite memories in the comment section under A.J.’s name on the website www.dignitymemorial and these comments will be made into a memory book for A.J.’s wife Wanda.