GERALD PURCELL 1936 – 2022

After living the fullest of lives, Gerald Nevitt Purcell passed away on November 1, 2022, at the age of 86, surrounded by his beloved wife and son and a full gathering of lifelong friends.

A gathering of family and friends took place Friday, November 4, at Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home. Graveside services and interment were held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 5, in Oakland Cemetery. A Memorial Celebration was 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 6, at First Presbyterian Church of Navasota with Rev. Matt Morse officiating.

Gerald was born on May 3, 1936 and raised in Navasota, Texas. He graduated from Navasota High School in 1954 where he played on the Rattler football team, and then attended college at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While at the University of Texas, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was also a member of the Army reserve unit in Navasota, Texas, and served active duty at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, in 1958. 

Gerald returned to Navasota to run the family business, J. Youens & Co. Lumber Yard, along with his brother-in law, Bud Powell. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Laura Cherry Stinnett, who had caught his eye after he was lucky enough to serve as prince to her princess in the senior court of the Brenham Maifest in 1956. The couple settled in Navasota, and raised their two children, Laura Ruth and Gerald Allen (“G.A.”), in their house on Holland Street. 

Along with owning a local business, Gerald was an active member of the community and continually sought ways to bring prosperity and growth to the Brazos Valley area. He served in many leadership positions during his life, including as council member on the Navasota City Council, President of the Grimes County Chamber of Commerce, and as a director on the Economic Development Council. But his community focus was not limited solely to business endeavors. He was also a founding member of the Navasota Theater Alliance, where he captivated audiences with his thespian chops, acting in multiple productions, including in the role as Reverend Jeremiah Brown in Inherit the Wind. He was also an active member in the First Presbyterian Church of Navasota, Texas, whose sanctuary was designed by his great grandfather, Jesse Youens. When he relaxed, Gerald enjoyed watching Texas Longhorn football, golfing at the Pecan Lakes Golf Club, and hunting in the mountains of Mexico. 

Gerald was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Laura Ruth Purcell, of Austin and his parents, Edis and Judith “Donnie” Lott Oliver of Navasota, and sisters, Judith Ferguson of Big Spring and Amy Powell, of Navasota.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Laura Cherry Purcell, of Navasota, and his son, G.A. Purcell and his wife, Jenny Purcell, of Austin, as well as his granddaughter, Gillian Downey and her fiancée, Travis Farmer, and their baby daughter, Marlowe, of Austin. Additionally, Gerald is survived by cousins Emily Jane Atkinson, Charlie Parker and Robert Parker, his sisters-in-law Jean Bullard of Fort Worth and Ann Farrell of Albuquerque. Nieces and nephews include Amy Gross and Douglas Powell both of Navasota, Elizabeth Hendrie of Missouri City, Stephanie Prange of California, Hunter Farrell of Wyoming and Ross Tiemann of Fort Worth. 

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Navasota Nursing and Rehabilitation and St. Joseph’s Health Hospital in Bryan, including for their help and comfort during this difficult time. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Gerald’s name to First Presbyterian Church, 302 Nolan, Navasota, Texas 77868. 

You are invited to sign the guestbook and leave condolences for the family at www.lindeyrobertsonholt.com.