Donald Duane Purvis

On Saturday, June 22nd, 2024, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at home with his "Baby Doll" at his side. "Big D", as he was lovingly called, was 93. Don was born on April 21st, 1931 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he grew up as the youngest of nine children. He was a fun-seeking and mischievous youngster - according to the many stories he shared throughout the years. He attended Central High School and served as President of his Junior and Senior class. He attended 1 1/2 years of college at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where he was active in boxing and golfing. In 1950, he met the love of his life, Dolores (Dolly) Siegel. They married in 1955, after he finished his service in the US Navy. During his time in the service, he served on a helicopter squadron on Navy vessels and was fortunate to travel to several countries and see the world. On his return to the States, "Big D" was able to watch the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1955 World Series. Don and Dolly welcomed two daughters, Patti and Susan, while living in North Dakota. In 1959, while pregnant with their third daughter, Nancy, the family moved to Southern California. There they expanded their family with twin daughters, Karen and Kathy. Don was surrounded by women. Our Dad was a devoted and fun Dad - playing games with us, taking us for drives around the lake and for ice cream cones and taking us out to dinner most Friday nights. After his time in the Navy, Don made a career as an optician. He was hardworking and enjoyed his work. Some Saturday mornings he would take one of his girls to work with him, teaching them his craft and getting to spend quality time with them. His career had him making spectacles for several famous people. In his free time, Don loved to spend time with family, golf, tell jokes (he was great at telling jokes!), play cards and visit casinos to play slots. He liked to travel, having taken many trips in the summers when the girls were young and after retirement to Hawaii, North Dakota, Washington DC, Orlando, Lake Tahoe and Avila Beach. An avid sports fan, he loved watching his Raiders and Angels play. He was also a big Boston Celtics fan and just got to see them win the Championship one last time. Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Dolly, his daughters, Patti Lanouette, Susan Beckwith (Tom), Nancy Purvis, Karen De La Rosa (Joel) and Kathy Bellucci (John), as well as his 10 grandchildren, Robert Lanouette, Julie Beckwith (Adam), Krystina Purvis (Lisa), Donald Beckwith, Jonathan Bellucci, Katie Bellucci, Sara Quezada (Edward), Matthew Rhoades (Miranda), Karalyn Pierce (Rylee), and Jenna De La Rosa, 10 great-grandchildren, brother & sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and May, and siblings, Nina, Eve, Bill, Van, Robert, Jack, Fyrne, Richard, and son-in-law, Gary Lanouette. Memorial services will be held 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Saturday, July 13th, 2024 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Donald Duane Purvis

April 21, 1931 - June 22, 2024