Purdis Medlin

Purdis L. Medlin
July 4, 1929 – January 30, 2015

Purdis L. Medlin, 85, went home to his heavenly Father Friday, January 30, 2015. Services will be conducted at New Road Church of Christ, 3100 S. New Road, at 11 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015. Alan Ritchie and Lon Jones will conduct the service and Nathan Burrow will conduct the graveside service. Burial will be at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday, February 1, 2015 at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Purdis L. Medlin was born July 4, 1929, to Newt & Nell Medlin in Lampasas County. At an early age Purdis moved to Waco with his family. He graduated from Waco Technical High School. His very good friend, Alton Bridger, introduced him to the very beautiful Bobbie Jean Ashley and they were married on August 12, 1950.

Purdis had an entrepreneurial spirit and after completing the technical training for air conditioning, heating and refrigeration began a life long career in the construction business. He owned and operated several construction related businesses, the first of which was Medlin Air Conditioning. He also was involved in the development of several sub-divisions. With his quest for learning new things, he completed training in clock repair and owned and operated a clock repair shop for several years. Later in life, he took painting courses and began oil painting. He also became interested in antique tractors and collected and restored several tractors.

Purdis served as president of the Zoo Board for several years. He was a Mason, 32nd degree Mason, Scottish Rite, and was also a member of the Shrine Horse Patrol. He was on the board of directors for Levi Water Supply Corporation and served as President of the Board for 32 years. He was an active member of the New Road Church of Christ. He was also a founding member of the Waco Antique Farm Machinery Club.

He and Bobbie had many fun years together that included traveling in their RV and they traveled through many states and visited many historical sites. Purdis had a keen sense of humor and valued every friendship he made with others. He loved his family and worked very hard to provide for their every need.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Deral Medlin. Left to cherish many fond memories are his wife of 64 years, Bobbie; his children, Janet Sheffield and husband Jim; Vonna Tindle and husband Preston; grandchildren, Julie Sheffield; Matt Sheffield and wife Leticia; Jason Muesse and wife Sarah; Ashley Ritter and husband Matthew; Ashley Nix and husband Ryan; great grandchildren, Riley, Ty and Avonlee Ritter. He is also survived by many relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be: T.J. Corbitt, Jim Smith, Jason Muesse, Matthew Ritter, Gary Koerth and Ken Sanders. Honorary pallbearers will be Guy Clemmons, Sr., Riley Ritter and Ty Ritter.