Patrick Roy Pursel, Sr., of Arkoma, Oklahoma, passed away on December 18, 2022, at Baptist Health Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was 74 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margie;  three sons, Patrick Jr., Robert, and John; his daughter, Kelsey.  Mr. Pursel was born on September 18, 1948, in Medford, Oregon. After graduation from Medford Senior High School in 1967, he worked for Gordon Greene and Pinnacle Fruit Packing Companies until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968.  After Boot camp, he attended Personnel man (PN) "A school" in San Diego, California.

After Graduation, he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Albany, Georgia, where he earned promotion to PN3 (Petty Officer Third Class).  At the end of his tour, he received orders to Vietnam where he spent twelve months in the delta assigned to the U.S. Navy's only Helicopter Gunship Squadron, HA(L)-3 Seawolves.  During his tour, he earned promotion to PN2.

After Vietnam he was transferred to Naval Station, Adak, Alaska, where he served for two years and was then selected by the Navy Dept to be re-assigned to Naval Security Group, Naval Communication Station, Adak, AK., where he was promoted to PN1.  After Adak, he was re-assigned to Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX, and served there for 10 months.  He then was selected by the Bureau of Naval Personnel to fill a vacant position as Personnel Officer, Navy Recruiting District, San Antonio, TX, earning promotion to Chief Petty Officer (E-7).

His next duty assignment was USS Howard W. GILMORE (AS-16) home ported in La Maddalena, Italy, where he served as assistant Personnel Officer and leading Chief of "X" Division.  Two years into his tour, the GILMORE was relieved on station by USS ORION (AS-18) and Chief Pursel cross-decked from GILMORE to Orion.  During his two-year tour onboard ORION, he was promoted to Senior Chief (E-8).

His next duty station was Navy Personnel Support Detachment, San Antonio, TX., where he served as Personnel Officer, until selected by the Bureau of Naval Personnel to establish and inaugurate Personnel Support Detachment, San Angelo, TX (onboard Goodfellow AFB).  During his tour he was promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer (PNCM).  He retired from active duty on June 30, 1988.

Mr. Pursel enrolled at Angelo State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, and was nominated by his peers and was subsequently admitted to Pi Gamma Mu. After graduation Pat, Margie, Robert, and John (Pat Jr. was in the Coast Guard) moved to northern Idaho where they lived for a year, returning to Medford, and working at Harry and David for 15 years earning promotions from in-coming phone operator to Internet Supervisor for the Business Division.

The family re-located to Oklahoma where they currently reside, and Mr. Pursel worked five years for the Arkansas Department of Human Services until his retirement.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., with full military honors, on Thursday, February 2nd at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith, 914 N. 32nd St. Fort Smith, AR  72903. (479) 434-3901 or (479) 965-8202

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com . You can visit our Facebook page, Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith.