Bryce Edward Purdun, passed away at his home on September 10th, 2025. Bryce was born on June 9th, 1944 to Bessie F. (Eaton) and Hosea B. Purdun.
Bryce was the youngest of five sons. He grew up on a farm south of Blythedale and attended school in Eagleville, Missouri. Bryce found his faith and was baptized at a young age. While in school, he was the first North Harrison student to compete at the state track meet as a high jumper. Bryce graduated from North Harrison High School in 1962.
He continued his education in Kansas City, Missouri at the Moler Barber College. After passing his state boards, he bought the barber shop in Ridgeway and began working as a barber. He spent several years running his own barber shop before going to work for Co-Op. He also worked driving a semi to Texas, hauling corn down and bringing cabbage back. While he was working construction, he was hired by the Missouri Department of Transportation where he retired after 24 years of service.
Bryce married Linda Lu Provin on March 1st, 1964 at the Ridgeway United Methodist Church. Together they had four sons: Eric Kent, Troy Shane, Lance Gale, and Ryan Heath. In 1977, they bought and cleared a spot in the country where they, along with friends and family, built the home they currently reside in. His greatest pride was in his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Attending sporting events for his family was a favorite pastime. Although he retired long ago, he never stopped cutting hair for those he loved. He was even able to give many of his great-grandsons their first haircuts. Bryce enjoyed company; he always had the coffee on or a bowl of ice cream ready to offer.
Bryce had a love for the outdoors. He spent many years taking his kids and grandkids hunting. It was a long-standing family tradition to gather for a feast on the opening morning of deer season at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He was always quick to point out the best spots to find mushrooms and remind everyone to use a mesh sack to spread the spores. He spent many hours hunting arrowheads and outside enjoying the hummingbirds.
Bryce was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and Hosea Purdun; brothers Charles (Alice), Ralph, Maurice (Betty), and Don Purdun; grandson, Slade Purdun; granddaughter, Kelsey Purdun; mother and father-in-law Ivel and Max Provin; sister-in-law Nita (Marvin) Garrett.
Bryce is survived by his wife, Linda (Provin) Purdun; sons, Eric (Jill) Purdun, Troy (Carolyn) Purdun, Lance (Melissa) Purdun, and Ryan (Jennifer) Purdun; grandsons, Vance (Morgan), Gabe, and Will Purdun; granddaughters, Hunter (Kade) Hendren, Rylan (Brant) Faulkner, Kasen Purdun, Riley (Nick) Williams, Jaden Purdun, Max Purdun, and Brileigh Summers; great-granddaughter, Wrenly Purdun; great-grandsons, Krew Hendren, Royal Faulkner, Keyston Purdun, Bo Faulkner, and Klay Hendren; in addition to many step children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at the Ridgeway United Methodist Church in Ridgeway, Missouri on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in the Yankee Ridge Cemetery in Ridgeway, Missouri. Memorials can be made to the Yankee Ridge Cemetery or the Ridgeway United Methodist Church.
