C. LOWELL PURDY, Obituary

C. Lowell Purdy, 88, died Friday, May 31, 2002, at a Longview, Wash., care center from complications of pneumonia.

He was born Feb. 2, 1914, in Milbank, S.D., to Fred B. and Florence (Fleming) Purdy. His family homesteaded in Montana when he was 3. Lowell attended Hill County schools. In 1936 he graduated from the University of Montana where he was affiliated with the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

He married Vivian Thomson in 1940 and farmed wheat on the family homestead. Lowell was elected to the Montana Legislature and later was appointed Montana Commission-er of Agriculture. He retired from farming in 1970.

Active in civic and fraternal organizations, Lowell was also an elder in the First Presbyterian Church while in Montana. He was an avid golfer and participated in many Montana State Senior Golf Tournaments. Although gregarious in nature, Lowell was a very private person whose life centered around his family. He and Vivian moved to Longview in 1991.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Purdy Seney.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Vivian, of Longview; his son, James L. Purdy of Cascade; his daughter-in-law, Barbara Purdy of Great Falls; his daughter, Barb Leak of Longview; and his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Jon Fountain of Longview. Grandchildren include Stuart Purdy, and Sara (Purdy) and Preston Nein of Denver, Colo.; and Jessica Leak and Annie Fountain of Phoenix, Ariz.

Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in Havre at the family plot.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice Care Center, P. O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632