Kinley Michael "Mike" Purcell Sr.

Kinley Michael “Mike” Purcell Sr. was born August 30, 1945, to Keith Leonard and Carolyn Elaine (Dowtin) Purcell in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He journeyed to his eternal home and entered in to rest on Sunday, February 5, 2023, in Piedmont, Oklahoma, at the age of 77. Mike graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1964. He started his career within the family business at KP Supply. He was the owner of Miko Enterprises where he introduced many young men to the workforce of manual labor.

He served as a proud Oklahoma City Firefighter from 1973 to 1998 when he retired. He served on the blue shift at many stations across Oklahoma City where he was notorious for being quite the prankster. Ask any of them here today and I am sure they will have one or MANY more stories to share.

Mike was well known and a legend in the Oklahoma Cross Country Racing Association (OCCRA) where he served as a board member, race director, and racing member since 1985. Mike defied the age limits of what the average person could accomplish on a 4-wheeler. Again, he could be known as quite a prankster around the track as well. There are stories of him striking up conversations with the other racers on the starting line, him pretending to “check their bike for them” and turning off their fuel right before the flag dropped.  His love for the sport, getting people involved in OCCRA racing, and being the “go-to guy” to set your bike up was great, but it was more about the friendships that developed that lasted a lifetime.

He was a member of Crossings Community Church for the last 10 years. Mike had a true servant's heart and was always considerate to those in need of a mentor, guidance, or a hand-up. He loved attending the Atrium service where he could visit with people, swap stories, drink coffee, and eat his breakfast burritos.

Mike loved traveling to Colorado in his motorhome. He made yearly trips over the years to Pitkin, Colorado. He enjoyed riding his Rincon on many of the old fire trails in and out of St. Elmo, through Tin Cup, up through Hancock Pass, and over the Continental Divide. Ken and Shannon will take his ashes there in the coming months for final rest.

His most honored role was that of a Papa. He was an afterschool chauffeur, an impromptu coach in whatever athletic endeavor they were in at the time, a swimming instructor, a mechanic, a welding instructor, a carpenter, and a builder of all things with 2x4’s, baling wire, and duct tape!

Mike is survived by two children, Ken Purcell and Shannon Hughes (Phil); five grandchildren, MaCayla & Steavi Claire Purcell, Zachary & Zoey Hughes & Kailynn Nichols. He has one sister, Linda Davis (Leon) & nieces Carrie Shockley (Dale), Mandy Ward (Jerry), Dani Gail (Grant) Johnston & numerous great-nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Keith Leonard Purcell, Carolyn Elaine (Dowtin) Purcell & his sister Carolyn Latane Price.

A special thank you to our family and friends, for your love and support and for joining us today to celebrate the life of our beloved Dad, Papa, Brother, and Uncle Mike. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Crossings Community Church Endowment Fund 14600 N. Portland OKC, OK 73134 (405) 755-2227

Mike’s motto

Life should not be a journey to the grave 

with the intention of arriving safely in a manicured 

and well-preserved body, but rather one that has skidded in broadside

 in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, beat up, skinned up and totally worn out, that seems to exclaim…

"WAHOO! What a Ride!”

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