1948
Jon
2016
Jon Purvis
August 30, 1948 — August 30, 2016
Jon A. Purvis, 68, went to be with the Lord on August 30, 2016. He was born on August 30, 1948, in Harlingen, Texas to Mildred and Fred Purvis. Jon is survived by his wife of 46 years, Frances; daughter Heather Howells and granddaughter Cheyenne Howells, both of Pearland, Texas. He is also survived by his twin brother, Jim (Kathleen) of Harlingen; nephew, Jeremy (Stacey) Purvis; great nephew, Grayson Purvis and great niece, Ainsley Purvis, of Austin.
Jon was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred R. Purvis; father, P. Fred Purvis and brother, Paul R. Purvis.
Jon was a life-long resident of Harlingen. He graduated from Harlingen High School in 1967 and attended Texas A & I University in Kingsville. He married his childhood sweetheart, Frances, in June of 1970, and had one daughter, Heather, born in 1977. He was blessed with his granddaughter, Cheyenne, born in 2000.
In 1970, he joined the family business, White Cleaners and Laundry. He ran the business with his father and later, his brother, Jim. His work ethic, attention to detail and pride in his work provided excellent customer service. He retired from and sold the business in 2008.
Jon and his brothers grew up attending First Christian Church in Harlingen, where he was a junior deacon and active in Christian Endeavor. Later, he and Frances joined First Baptist Church in Harlingen, and were members there for 33 years. They became members of Rio Hondo Baptist Church 8 years ago.
Jon enjoyed cooking at First Christian Church in Harlingen, First Baptist Harlingen and Rio Hondo Baptist. If he were not in the kitchen, he could be found outside by a Bar-B-Que pit. No one could cook chicken like Jon. He and wife Frances also did the cooking at a friends’ hunting camp. It has been said the hunters raved about the food they prepared.
Jon’s hobbies included raising sun conur parrots and working with his twin brother, Jim, on his farm raising cattle. Jon enjoyed fishing, hunting and travelling with his family and friends. He also had an outstanding mechanical and electrical mind and could repair or build almost anything. He generously used this God-given talent to help anyone in need.
He was never at a loss for friends. Jon had many people in his life that he loved, but the measure of his life is not how many people he loved, but how many people loved him. He will truly be missed by all whose lives he touched. As one of his friends stated, “He had the best birthday possible he got to spend it with the Lord!”
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 4, at Rio Hondo Baptist Church at 2:00 PM, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.
Those wishing to make donations may do so to any of the following: RHBC Food Pantry, P.O. Box 279, Rio Hondo, TX 78583, Ronald McDonald House, 1720 Treasure Hills Blvd. Harlingen, TX 78550, D’Anne Burns Memorial Scholarship at UMHB, Box 8433, 900 College St, Belton, TX 76513-2599, The Gideons, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.
Jon was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred R. Purvis; father, P. Fred Purvis and brother, Paul R. Purvis.
Jon was a life-long resident of Harlingen. He graduated from Harlingen High School in 1967 and attended Texas A & I University in Kingsville. He married his childhood sweetheart, Frances, in June of 1970, and had one daughter, Heather, born in 1977. He was blessed with his granddaughter, Cheyenne, born in 2000.
In 1970, he joined the family business, White Cleaners and Laundry. He ran the business with his father and later, his brother, Jim. His work ethic, attention to detail and pride in his work provided excellent customer service. He retired from and sold the business in 2008.
Jon and his brothers grew up attending First Christian Church in Harlingen, where he was a junior deacon and active in Christian Endeavor. Later, he and Frances joined First Baptist Church in Harlingen, and were members there for 33 years. They became members of Rio Hondo Baptist Church 8 years ago.
Jon enjoyed cooking at First Christian Church in Harlingen, First Baptist Harlingen and Rio Hondo Baptist. If he were not in the kitchen, he could be found outside by a Bar-B-Que pit. No one could cook chicken like Jon. He and wife Frances also did the cooking at a friends’ hunting camp. It has been said the hunters raved about the food they prepared.
Jon’s hobbies included raising sun conur parrots and working with his twin brother, Jim, on his farm raising cattle. Jon enjoyed fishing, hunting and travelling with his family and friends. He also had an outstanding mechanical and electrical mind and could repair or build almost anything. He generously used this God-given talent to help anyone in need.
He was never at a loss for friends. Jon had many people in his life that he loved, but the measure of his life is not how many people he loved, but how many people loved him. He will truly be missed by all whose lives he touched. As one of his friends stated, “He had the best birthday possible he got to spend it with the Lord!”
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 4, at Rio Hondo Baptist Church at 2:00 PM, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.
Those wishing to make donations may do so to any of the following: RHBC Food Pantry, P.O. Box 279, Rio Hondo, TX 78583, Ronald McDonald House, 1720 Treasure Hills Blvd. Harlingen, TX 78550, D’Anne Burns Memorial Scholarship at UMHB, Box 8433, 900 College St, Belton, TX 76513-2599, The Gideons, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.
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