Glen Richard Pursley was born in Springfield, MO, on February 10, 1925. He died May 21, 2011. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Ruth, and their four children: Doug (Janet) Pursley, Springfield, MO, Richard (Vicki) Pursley, Okemos, MI, Mary Murphy, Vallejo, CA, and Julie Dooling (partner, Steve Glass), Ozark, MO and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Joan and Winston Ewing (Springfield, MO). Preceding him in death were his parents, Vernon and Hazel (Dickensheet) Pursley, and brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Wanella Pursley.
Glen grew up on a dairy farm just east of Springfield on the James River. He attended Pleasant Valley School through the 8th grade and graduated from Rogersville High School in 1943. He began his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri then joined the Navy during the end of World War II. He returned to school and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science and a Master’s of Science degree in Reproductive Physiology, both at the University of Missouri. His Master’s thesis was a key contribution to the science of artificial insemination (AI) of cattle.
The first decade of his professional career was spent working at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, as a Dairy Extension Specialist. His program enhanced the use of AI and Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) records by dairy producers to improve their lives. Glen developed a herd of Registered Holsteins at Willard, MO, during his second decade of his professional life. He was an active member of the Missouri Holstein Association and local DHIA. Showing Registered Holsteins at local, regional and state fairs were engrained in yearly activities of the family.
Glen worked in real estate in the Springfield area during the 1970’s and retired after a 10-year partnership with son Richard in the Registered Holstein business. He was a passionate husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His life was his family. He had a love for the earth and was an avid gardener. He enjoyed working crossword puzzles and word jumbles during the quiet moments of life. He was an ardent St. Louis Cardinals and U of MO Tigers fan. Glen was very proud of his U of MO heritage as it related to the College of Agriculture, Alpha Gamma Sigma Fraternity, and the Animal Science Department. He was a member of First & Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield. He loved walking for exercise and was a walker in 1958 before it was fashionable. He had a grand walk through life.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at 3 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home South, 441 West Battlefield, Springfield, MO. Donations can be made in his memory to the Glen R. Pursley Dairy Research Fund, Division of Animal Science, 920 E. Campus Dr., University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, the Ozark Greenways, P.O. Box 50733, Springfield, MO, 65805 or the First & Calvary Presbyterian Church, Springfield, MO.
Cremation arrangments are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.