WILSON-LITTLE FUNERAL HOME

PURCELL-NEWCASTLE, MCCLAIN CO, OK

(permission granted)

Tommy Lee Herell age 89, of Purcell, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Purcell Municipal Hospital.

He was born on April 18, 1929, in Purcell, OK. He was the oldest child of five children born to Thomas Green Herell and Abbie Gertrude (Bice) Herell.   Tommy grew up a country boy living southwest of Purcell near the Stealy Community. During his early years he learned how to work hard and he kept that same work ethic throughout his life.   In his younger years he attended the Stealy school and later attend high school in Purcell.

After high school, he worked in the oilfield as a roustabout for a couple of years. Tommy was then drafted into the United States Army in 1952 and proudly served his country during the Korean War, while stationed in Japan. After being honorably discharged, he returned home to Purcell and started working at Curtis Melton’s Service Station. He then worked for Lone Star Gas Company for 10 years before purchasing Mr. Melton’s Service Station in 1967.

Tommy married Claudine Ruth on June 22, 1956, in Purcell. Together they made Purcell their home where they raised two children, Dwayne and Tammie.   For the past 50 years Tommy and Claudine owned and operated the Herell’s 66 Service Station on Green Ave. in Purcell. During his years at the Service Station, Tommy also served on the Purcell’s Volunteer Fire Department, retiring after 20 years.   For the past 36 years he has been a faithful member at the First Baptist Church in Purcell.

When he was younger, Tommy enjoyed playing golf and fishing. After owning the service station, all he did was work six day a week and rest on Sunday. Work and family was his life. Tommy will be remembered as a loving husband, a wonderful father, grandfather and brother. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by:

Parents,                Tom and Abbie Herell.

He is survived by:

Wife of 62 years,  Claudine Herell of the home.

Son,                      Dwayne “Fred” Herell and wife Debbie of Purcell,

Daughter,             Tammie Herell of Purcell;

Two brothers,      Lowell Herell and wife Jolanda of Kemp, TX,

                             Gene Herell of Purcell.

Two sisters,                   Judy Selman and husband Joe of Burns Flat, OK,

                             Carolyn Bennett and husband Gary of Purcell;

Six grandchildren,          Trisha, Brandy, Samantha, Ryan, Tryce and Coleman.

Five great grandchildren, also many nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell.

Interment will be at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.