Lloyd Mowery Purcell, of Litchfield Park, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Jane of 60 years, daughters, Jan, Mary, Patty and Polly, Grandchildren, Matthew, Stephanie, Christopher, Melissa, Mark, Emily, Katie Ann and Danny, and 2 great grandchildren, Parker and Max Liam. He was also blessed with several step-grandchildren who adored him as well. Lloyd was loved and admired by many people, from students who attended his classes at Agua Fria Union High School, NAU and GCC, to his favorite customers who knew he could “fix” their cars better than anyone; to his radio buddies who he talked to everyday at 9:00 a.m., for their daily “check-in” and family updates. His call letters WB7PKW are well known throughout the country.
He was born in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania on September 1, 1927 where he was a child star, dancing and singing on the radio waves for many years. He also became an outstanding professional musician playing the trumpet in various jazz and big bands, delighting his audiences with his gifted “ear” for music and outgoing personality. Once you met him, you were never a stranger, as he would welcome everyone with a hearty handshake and a big pat on the back. He was famous for making each and every waitress, nurse, grocery store employee, and bank teller his immediate” best friend” for life. He moved to Flagstaff, after being discharged from the Navy, and attended NAU, where he met and married the love of his life, Jane. They have resided in Goodyear and Litchfield Park since 1951, where they have been active community members. His hobbies included long car trips, relaxing at the family cabin in Flagstaff, water skiing, taking home movies, drag racing, and tirelessly watching the Diamondbacks and Gunsmoke. He will be so terribly missed, and never replaced, daddy, papa, and WB7PKW, you are one of kind! A private family celebration of life will be held, and in lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Litchfield Park Historical Society, P.O. Box 1936, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.
Published in The Arizona Republic on Aug. 22, 2008
Lloyd Purcell WB7PKW
Member Lloyd became a silent key August 17.
He was the Net Control on the WVARC 2
Meter nets several times each week. He
identified: “My name is Lloyd with 2 ells.” The
trivia questions he posed would jog our
memories or remind us of things we should
have learned in school. He was also active on
national HF nets. Among his other avocations
were amateur radio kit building and maintaining
a 1972 Plymouth Duster automobile in show
room condition.
Keeper of the Family 