Charles "Skip" Purvis passed away April 7, 2017, in Tucson, AZ. Skip served in the US Navy and later worked in the food distribution business in Wichita Falls and California. He returned to Tucson and started a landscape business with a long-time friend. Skip was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and passed away shortly after diagnosis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck, 76, and Marion, 84.
Skip is survived by his two children, Amy and Richard, one granddaughter, his brother, Bob and two sisters, Kay and Sally.
Condolences may be sent to: Sally Prickett, 5511 N. Via Umbrosa, Tucson, AZ. 85750
Her e-mail: dragonfist@msn.com // Cell: 520-237-4800
A Ring Story: I dated Skip in high school. It was just a little high school "going steady" romance. We actually broke up and got back together a time or two. One Christmas, he gave me a cute little gold ring he had purchased at Zales. It looked like a belt and had a silver "buckle". It was real gold....purchased when gold was under $20.00 an ounce.....and it was quite unique. Why he chose to give me that particular ring, I could never figure out, but it was very generous and kind. Well, when I showed it to my mom, she went in orbit, proclaiming that I should never accept such a "nice gift" from someone I was "just going steady with"! She told me that I had to return the ring, Awkward!!!! So, on our next date, I obediently told Skip that my mother would not allow me to keep the ring, because she considered it to be much too generous. Well, Skip looked at me and informed that the ring was a gift and he did not take back a gift! He also added that my mother could ____________. Ok, I won't quote what he said!! Awkward!!! So I kept the ring and didn't tell my mother about it for several weeks! When I finally revealed the "no return item", I sure didn't repeat ALL of Skip's comments! I got a lecture about "boy gifts" and mom let me wear the ring. I'm not sure why she was so upset about that ring...perhaps she thought that I would, one day, accept an engagement ring all-too-quickly...from "Mr Right". Who knows? I will say, that I wore that ring through college and for many years after I was married. It was always a "conversation piece" and, no, my husband wasn't jealous over a ring from a high school boyfriend....he actually liked the ring. The ring was eventually replaced with nicer "adult" jewelry; however, since the passing of my husband, I no longer wear rings. You know, I still have that ring and I may pull it out and wear it to our 70th BD party!
I just heard from Sally about the nickname: Skip's uncle, his dad's brother, was named "Elvis". Everyone called him "Skip". For some reason, her parent's started calling her brother, "Skip", too!
Mike Guggenbickler
Played some ball with Skip.... sorry to hear.
Ronda Roberts (Jackson)
Charles "Skip" Purvis passed away April 7, 2017, in Tucson, AZ. Skip served in the US Navy and later worked in the food distribution business in Wichita Falls and California. He returned to Tucson and started a landscape business with a long-time friend. Skip was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and passed away shortly after diagnosis.
Larry Fick
Any one know how he got his nickname?
Donald C. Horne
Skip was instrumental in helping the '67 Ram baseball team to the district championship as a pitcher.
Ronda Roberts (Jackson)
A Ring Story: I dated Skip in high school. It was just a little high school "going steady" romance. We actually broke up and got back together a time or two. One Christmas, he gave me a cute little gold ring he had purchased at Zales. It looked like a belt and had a silver "buckle". It was real gold....purchased when gold was under $20.00 an ounce.....and it was quite unique. Why he chose to give me that particular ring, I could never figure out, but it was very generous and kind. Well, when I showed it to my mom, she went in orbit, proclaiming that I should never accept such a "nice gift" from someone I was "just going steady with"! She told me that I had to return the ring, Awkward!!!! So, on our next date, I obediently told Skip that my mother would not allow me to keep the ring, because she considered it to be much too generous. Well, Skip looked at me and informed that the ring was a gift and he did not take back a gift! He also added that my mother could ____________. Ok, I won't quote what he said!! Awkward!!! So I kept the ring and didn't tell my mother about it for several weeks! When I finally revealed the "no return item", I sure didn't repeat ALL of Skip's comments! I got a lecture about "boy gifts" and mom let me wear the ring. I'm not sure why she was so upset about that ring...perhaps she thought that I would, one day, accept an engagement ring all-too-quickly...from "Mr Right". Who knows? I will say, that I wore that ring through college and for many years after I was married. It was always a "conversation piece" and, no, my husband wasn't jealous over a ring from a high school boyfriend....he actually liked the ring. The ring was eventually replaced with nicer "adult" jewelry; however, since the passing of my husband, I no longer wear rings. You know, I still have that ring and I may pull it out and wear it to our 70th BD party!
Ronda Roberts (Jackson)
I just heard from Sally about the nickname: Skip's uncle, his dad's brother, was named "Elvis". Everyone called him "Skip". For some reason, her parent's started calling her brother, "Skip", too!
Jan Abernathy (Pickett)
Check Ronda Roberts Garner's post about Skip submitted on 10/1/18.
Arnell Blain (Morris)
Rhonda, I think that is so cool that you still have that ring. What a great HS memory.