Harry E Purdy Jr.

Harry Elwood Purdy (93) cut and leveled his final path January 10, 2016 on his journey to heaven. Born May 28, 1922 to Harry Eldrin & Edna Ferguson Purdy near Trading Post Kansas attending school there and High School in Pleasanton Kansas. He obtained a chauffeur’s license at the age of 15 and transported other students (all girls) to school. He was proud of often being the only car in the lot of the school he fondly referred to as “knowledge hill” on a snowy day.

As a young man he moved with his family to Buena beginning his long career in the land leveling business.

Harry began his career working for George Bolton, leveling land throughout the Yakama Reservation and lower valley while he and Georgia raised their 5 children. Harry established “Purdy Land Leveling” and continued his career turning sagebrush into farmland and contracting with Yakima County Solid Waste later retiring from Yakima County Cheyne Landfill in Zillah. He graced many people with his smile and stories at the landfill as he knew no strangers. You only had to witness Harry in a pasture with his cattle, cats, dogs, and even the bull following him to see the extent of his compassion.

In 1997 he was blessed with his second wife Evelyn affectionately referred to as “Cookie”. They made their home in Foster, Mo.

Harry is survived by his wife Evelyn of Foster, MO; daughter Noma Barnhouse of Zillah, WA, five stepchildren that all called him “Pops”, 44 grand, 12 great grand and great- great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were first wife Georgia Purdy, three sons Irvin, Paul, Duane, and one daughter Sue Hodges, three stepsons, Leroy, Butch, Rusty and stepdaughter Evelyn Hoover, two sisters Louise and Anna Belle, two granddaughters Annie Purdy, Angie Heigh and great-grandson Paul.

a Funeral Service to be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 19th at Keith and Keith Funeral Home.

To share a memory of Harry, please visit www.keithandkeith.com .