Alfred B. Pursell, 93, died on September 21, 2022, at 3101 Grand Avenue, Leavenworth, Kan. Mr. Pursell spent his youth in West Orange, N.J., but after 22 years in the Army, lived in Leavenworth since 1973.
He attended the United States Military Academy and was a 1953 graduate of Seton Hall University. Mr. Pursell also attended the University of Kansas where he obtained a M.A. in Education and 36 hours towards a Ph.D. in English. In the Army he commanded two tank companies and an armored cavalry squadron headquarters troop. Lt. Colonel Pursell also served as an armored cavalry squadron S-3, French speaker advisor in Laos, as well as a current intelligence briefer for the Commander-in-Chief Pacific, G-2 of the Americal Division in Vietnam, a battalion commander at Fort Ord, and twice as an author/instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Mr. Pursell was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal for his military service.
Upon leaving the Army in 1975, he taught English and coached girls basketball at Immaculata High School until 1985, then became plant supervisor at Heatron Inc. for four years, prior to attending the University of Kansas as a candidate for a Ph.D. in English.
Mr. Pursell was an adjunct faculty member at Kansas City Kansas Community College from 1980 to 2013. He then taught at the University of Saint Mary. As of 1992 he was a visiting scholar for the Kansas Humanities Council. He also was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder, deacon and liturgist.
Mr. Pursell was an associate member of the Association of Graduates of West Point; a member of the University of Kansas Alumni Association; a member of Human Animal Bond and was on the Executive Committee of Friends of Scholarship at the University of Saint Mary.
Mr. Pursell lost his lifetime partner and wife, Elizabeth Nelson Pursell on February 5, 2014. He is survived by his daughter Jeannette and three sons: Alfred and his wife Julie, their four children and four grandchildren; David and his wife Gabriel, their child and two grandchildren; and Andrew and his partner Lori Robinson.
He is also survived by his brother Daniel and his wife Kathleen, their daughter Lisa and her husband Matt, and their two children.
Visitation is scheduled 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 18 at First Presbyterian Church, 407 Walnut St, Leavenworth, KS 66048 (913-682-6891).
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. after the visitation, followed by a lunch from 12 to 12:50 p.m., and then a funeral procession to Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery scheduled to arrive at 1:30 p.m. for the full military honor burial of his ashes.
No flowers please.
Contribution to The Salvation Army and The First Presbyterian Church of Leavenworth will be greatly appreciated.
Memorial contributions may be left on Alfred’s online guestbook at www.davisfuneralchapelinc.com.