Thomas Allen Purdie, of Parkdale passed away July 30, 2012 at the Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. He was born on November 19, 1935 and was 76 at the time of his passing.

Tom was born in Boone, Iowa to Curtis L. and Ruth A. (Pritchard) Purdie. Tom’s father worked for the railroad, therefore Tom enjoyed living in numerous areas growing up and attending schools in Iowa, New York, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and graduated from High School in Skagway, Alaska in 1953.

After his graduation Tom joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS Howard W. Gilmore until his honorable discharge in 1956. He moved to San Jose, California where he worked for FMC (Food & Machinery Corporation) in marketing and set-ups of new plants.

Tom was on his way to the World Fair in Spokane, Washington and made a detour and found Parkdale… he never made it to the fair but he found where he wanted to live. Tom returned to California only to quit his job, gathering his belongings and move to Parkdale, where he resided since. Tom began his career as a contract excavator and operated his own business until health forced him to retire in 1999.

Tom enjoyed the outdoors either working or playing! He enjoyed snow skiing, boating or cruising in his hot rod truck during “Hot August Nights”. He was a member of the Hood River Elk’s Lodge and also enjoyed tinkering around in his shop fabricating or welding.

Tom is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Barbara Purdie of Parkdale, Oregon; children, Tracie Cordova, Kellie Czekay, John Thomas and Randy Thomas; five grandchildren, Corey, Noah, Harlan, Hayden & Josie; brother, Peter Purdie and other distant family and many, many friends that he has collected over the years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Kirk.

A private family gathering with military honors was held August 2nd at Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Memorials are encouraged to be made in memory of Tom to the Special Olympics and sent care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Please visit our website to leave a note of condolence for family www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.