John Michael "Mike" Puryear, Sr.

Funeral services for John Michael “Mike” Puryear, Sr., 67, of Etoile will be held Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Bobby Russell and Brother John Spurgeon officiating. Interment will follow in the Sims (Rocky Hill) Cemetery. Mike was born July 30, 1948 in Lufkin, Texas to the late John B. “Jake” and Ozelle (Nichols) Puryear and died Wednesday, June 22, 2016 in a local hospital. Mike, a current resident of Etoile, had resided most of his life in the Rocky Hill Community. He was employed as a truck driver and heavy equipment mechanic and was known to many as “Bumper Sticker”. He most recently worked for Pinto Construction and Mustang Rentals. Mike loved horses and especially enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He never met a stranger and enjoyed cheering people up. He always said, “Never let anyone ruin a good day”. Mike was a member of the Rocky Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include his beloved wife of 47 years, Judy Puryear of Etoile; son, John Michael Puryear, Jr. and wife Iwana of Etoile; brother, George Brent Puryear of Tomball; Dorothy Oates, who he always called his second mom, of Huntington; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Janet Lynn Puryear. Pallbearers will be Kristen Lyon, Julie Haverland-Allen, Jesilyn Rivera, Marlynda Darnell, Courtney Ledsworth, Bay Hill, Alexis Anderson, Aleisa Krug, Angela Chandler and Susan Gaskin. Memorial contributions may be made to Rocky Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 4040 Harley Golden Road, Huntington, Texas 75949 or Sims (Rocky Hill) Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1322, Huntington, Texas 75949. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.