Albert Caleb Purifoy

OBITUARY ALBERT Caleb. PURIFOY Albert Caleb Purifoy, 82, died on January 7, 2007. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary, his son and daughter-in-law John and Kim Purifoy of Colleyville, his son Mack of Temple, daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Scott Crowe of Dallas, two grandchildren, Cate Crowe and Will Crowe, and brother William Rosser Purifoy and wife Carolyn of Houston. Al was born on December 24, 1924 in Anson, Texas. His life was forever changed after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Al joined the army at the age of 18 and became a member of the elite 501st parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He served in some of the most decisive battles of W.W. II. Al jumped at Normandy behind enemy lines on D-Day, had a second jump in Holland and also fought in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne. Al's medals include the Parachute Wings with two combat jumps, European Theater Ribbon with three bronze stars and one Arrowhead, two Bronze Stars with Oak Leaf Cluster, a Combat Infantry Badge, and Presidential Unit Citation with cluster, Belgium Fourggiere, and the French Croix DeGueere with Palm Orange Lanyard of the Netherlands Army. Al returned home, graduated from Southern Methodist University and began hid career in the insurance industry. He came to Temple in 1960 to become the manager of Robinson & Cloud Insurance Company. Al served on numerous insurance boards and committees, and was instrumental in writing the current personal auto policy in the state of Texas. He earned his Charter Property and Casualty underwriter designation in 1964, and was rewarded the highest honor given by the Texas Independent Insurance Agents, the Drex G. Foreman award, in 1995. His civic contributions include president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of Cultural Activity Center, president of Rotary Club, and Temple planning and zoning committee. Al was also a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church serving both as a deacon and elder until his declining health.. Al's church, family, and country were the most important things in his life. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday January 10, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church in Temple with the Dr. Margaret Boles officiating. A family visitation will be held from 5:30 until 6:30 PM Tuesday at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home of Temple.