Purchase, Ronald James (1938-2017)
PURCHASE, SHEW, THOMPSON, TATUM, SMITH, PARHAM
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/31/2017 at 22:08:01
Ronald James Purchase
July 14, 1938 - September 21, 2017Surrounded by his family, Ronald James Purchase, 79, of Forest City, died peacefully, on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at his home.
A son of Samuel and Bernice M. (Shew) Purchase, Ronald was born on July 14, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska. One of eight children, he attended school in Omaha. On July 14, 1955, he married Carolyn Thompson in Council Bluffs, Iowa. To their union, five children were born: Carol, Dale, Tim, Cindy, and Tracy.
On July 15, 1955, Ronald enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After twenty years of service, he retired in 1974 as a Machinist Mate 1st Class. While in the military, he and his family lived in Norfolk, Virginia, and Crystal Lake, Illinois. Then, in 1992, Ron and Carolyn moved to Forest City where he started a business, R.J., the Handyman.
Ronald enjoyed woodworking, fishing, mowing his yard, and watching western movies. Treasuring his family, he enjoyed keeping up with all his grandchildren’s activities and lives. Very proud of his service to his country, he, always, loved and respected his country. A member of the Leland V.F.W., Post #6161, and of the First Baptist Church in Forest City, Ronald enjoyed interacting with the youth in his church, and he served on various boards and with several groups through the years. He will be, dearly, missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of Forest City; his children, Carol Tatum, of Rapid City, South Dakota, Tim (Janice) Purchase, of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Dale Purchase, Cindy Smith, and Tracy (Linnie) Purchase, all of Forest City; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Gary (Pinky) Purchase, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Bill (Kathy) Purchase, of Lavista, Nebraska; as well as by many nieces and nephews.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Robert, Paul, Jack, and Dick Purchase; and his sister, Virginia Parham.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at the First Baptist Church, 18508 East HWY 9, Forest City, Iowa 50436, with Pastors Eric Weaver and Matt Rittgers officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Monday, September 25, 2017, at the church. Interment will be in the First Baptist/Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Cataldo Schott Funeral Home, Forest City, Iowa, 2017.
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