Antone "Tony" Everett Purcell

Antone Everett Purcell, known affectionately as Tony, passed away on March 11, 2026, in Vernal, Utah, at the age of 74. Born on July 12, 1951, in Centralia, Washington, to Cora Ellen Hart and Don Keith Purcell, Tony served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Virginia as a young man. After a knee injury brought him home to Washington to complete his service, he later married Annie Swasey in 1978. Together they had five children before divorcing.

Tony earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Utah State University and taught fifth grade at Todd Elementary from 1985 to 1997. He lived in both Washington and Utah throughout his life, where he found deep enjoyment in hunting and fishing. He spent many peaceful hours in a hunting blind watching deer, earning the fond nickname “Two-point Tony.” As a younger man, Tony played football and baseball, including at Centralia College. In later years, he took great joy in watching his children and grandchildren compete in those same sports.

He is survived by his children, Luke (Tiffany) Purcell of Herriman, Andrew (Jessica) Purcell of Upalco, Warren (Erica) Purcell of Maeser, Cora (Mike) Sabo of East Carbon, and Kadee (Dakota) Fox of Roosevelt, along with nine grandchildren. Tony was preceded in death by his father, Don Keith Purcell; his mother and stepfather, Cora and Warren Walker; his brothers, Steven and Raymond Purcell; and his grandson, Odysseus R. Everett Fox.