More detail on this person: Leslie Gene Purdom Leslie Gene Purdom, 78, of Gravel Switch, KY went home to be with his Lord on Monday, January 9, 2012. Born Feb. 15, 1933 in Casey County, he was the son of the late Oatley Bruce and Mattie Vinson Johnson Purdom. Gene graduated from Forkland High School in 1951, Eastern Kentucky University in 1955 and entered the US Army at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri upon graduation. Later, he attended flight school and received his wings in 1957. After a tour in Germany, he served as a helicopter gunship and aircraft pilot for two years in Vietnam. After twenty years of dedicated military service, Gene retired in 1975 as a highly decorated veteran at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four, which is the highest rank achievable in the field of aviation. He also earned a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling during his military career. Among numerous military awards, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart are among his highest earned. Gene went on to serve his country as a Department of Army civilian for twenty additional years and retired once again. Gene was a member of the Gravel Switch United Methodist Church and a Mason of Lodge 87 in Lebanon, KY. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by a brother, Carroll Purdom, nephew Zack Johnson and wife Helen Purdom. He is survived by two daughters, Penny Purdom Goulart and Pamela Purdom of Daleville, AL; a sister, Margaret Elaine Johnson (David) of Liberty, KY; two grandchildren, Steven and Kristin Goulart, both students at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL; a niece, Dianna M. Purdom Barker (Larry) and a sister-in-law, Doris Lane Purdom, all of Gravel Switch, KY; a great niece, Jamie M. Hamblin of Danville, KY; and the mother of his children, Elaine Graves Farner of Daleville, AL. Services will be at 11 AM, Thursday at W.L. Pruitt Funeral Home in Moreland, KY by Rev. Ollie Wicker, Pastor of the Gravel Switch UMC. Burial will be in Hustonville Cemetery with military honors. Visitation is 5-9 PM, Wednesday with Masonic Service at 7 PM. Pallbearers are Bobby Joe Ellis, Jimmy Johnson, David Johnson, Larry Barker, Charles Shannon and Steven Goulart. Honorary Pallbearer is Marion White. Memorial contributions suggested to Mr. Purdom's church: Gravel Switch United Methodist Church, c/o Hazel Overstreet, 50 Minor's Branch Rd, Gravel Switch, KY 40328.
Burial information: Hustonville Cemetery, Hustonville, KY
This information was last updated 04/05/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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