Rex Purcell

REX B. PURCELL IDAHO FALLS, ID - Rex Beach Purcell, 76, of Ammon, Idaho died September 10, 2003, at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. He was born March 5, 1927, in Idaho Falls to Leonard Joseph Purcell and Tillie Anna Blatter Purcell. He attended schools in Ammon graduating as Valedictorian in May 1945. He served in the Navy for a year and a half then attended Utah State Agricultural College graduating with a degree in electronics engineering in 1950. He married Ileen May on August 10, 1949 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple to which union five children were born. He taught school in Hyrum, Utah and at O. E. Bell Jr. High School in Idaho Falls. He worked as a radio engineer for KID radio in Idaho Falls and as a communications officer for the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska and Portland, Oregon. In June 1954, he returned to Idaho Falls where he was employed as an engineer for the Atomic Energy Commission at the Arco test sight. In 1960 he moved to Bangkok, Thailand where he taught for a year before again returning to Idaho Falls. He relocated his family to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967 where he was employed in many varied administrative positions with the Department of Energy. He traveled extensively in his career including trips around the world, Europe, and Asia. He retired in 1984 and moved back home to Ammon. As a life-long active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served in a number of positions, including Ward and Stake Clerk, Elder's Quorum President, Bishop's Counselor, Sunday School teacher and as an officiator at the Idaho Falls Temple. With his wife, he served a mission for the Church in Guadalajara, Mexico. He enjoyed his family, music, singing, working around his home and garden, and flying. Surviving are: Wife: Ileen Purcell, Ammon, ID Daughter: Janet (Stephen) Smith, Altadena, CA Son: Lynn (Nancy) Purcell, Tremonton, UT Son: Ryan Purcell, Sandy, UT Daughter: Nancy Purcell, Sandy, UT Sister: Ceola (Dean) Marshall, Osgood, ID Sister: Winifred (George) Merritt, Centerville, UT 9 Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one son. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m Saturday, September 13, 2003, at the Ammon LDS 1st Ward, 3000 Central Avenue, with Bishop Bob Marshall officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7 to 9:00 p.m. Friday at Wood East Side Chapel, 963 South Ammon Road, and at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home East Side.