Gene Nelson Puryear

     Gene Nelson Puryear, 84, of El Campo, passed away surrounded by his family on February 9, 2024. He was born to Clebit and Viola Honea Puryear on February 8, 1940, in the piney woods of Huntington, TX.  

     Gene loved to run track in Bruceville-Eddy, TX during his high school years and play football. He was in the grocery business for 53 years and for the majority of that time he was a meat cutter. He was loved by many of his customers. Gene co-owned Ganado Grocery for 14 years and then finally retired to spend his hours caring for his wife, Rosalinda, and his side kicks, Precious and Rowdy. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, his Texans and Astros, and the special times spent hunting at the deer lease with his son’s David and Joseph. Gene was a very special man and enjoyed talking and joking with his sisters, Lottie Mae and Mamie Lois, and his sister-in-law, Carmela. He had a sweet smile for everyone he met and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  

     He leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Rosalenda Diaz Puryear; sons, Joseph Puryear and wife Shae and David Puryear and wife Yolanda; daughter, Ava Denise Puryear; seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.  

     Gene was preceded in death by his parents; son, Darrell Puryear; brothers, James, Grady, Harris, Buster and J.B. Puryear; sisters, Mamie Lois Conner, Lottie Mae Herron, La Venta Layton, Irene Puryear and Gloria Metcalf and brother-in-law, Homer Herron.  

     Visitation begins at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 14 at Triska Funeral Home with services following at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Memorial Park.   

     Pallbearers will be Joseph Gene Puryear, David Neal Puryear, Chad Comeaux, Lonnie Bush, Frank Fry and David Brown.  

     Condolences may be shared online at www.triskafuneralhome.com