Bura Purvis Tolleson

Bura Purvis “Buck” Tolleson, 89, of Avondale, Arizona died August 6, 2019, at the Hospice of the Valley Thunderbird Unit in Glendale. He was born September 11, 1929, in Barnes, Mississippi to Enoch and Mary Jane Tolleson. He was the youngest of six siblings. He was a compassionate Southern gentleman. On September 22, 1951, he married Helen Ferguson while on leave from the US Navy. They had three children.

While in the Navy, he served on the USS Bataan. He was awarded the Korean, UN and National Defense Service Medals and a Good Conduct Medal. After discharge, he worked for 25 years as a firefighter on the tarmac at the Litchfield Park Naval Air Facility and Luke Air Force Base. He worked at Cannon Funeral Home in Goodyear until it became Thompson Funeral Chapel.

In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, coaching baseball, RV traveling, and playing the mandolin and violin. He was an avid reader and fan of bluegrass and country music. He attended the Avondale Baptist Church for 65 years and became known for his coconut cake.

He is survived by his son Carl Tolleson (Annlouise) of Phoenix, daughter Cynthia Harvey and grandson Stephen Harvey of Goodyear and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, infant son Anthony, grandson Robert Harvey, cousin Aaron “Mud” Tolleson, five siblings and his parents.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Avondale Baptist Church, 1001 N Central Ave, Avondale, AZ 85323. Visit with the family at 9 am before the funeral service at 10 am and reception at 1:00 pm. Graveside service with the Navy Honor Guard will immediately follow the funeral at West Resthaven Park Cemetery, 6450 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. Senior Pastor Jack Marslender will officiate.