Clifford Purdum

Clifford Purdum, son of Bertha Thomas and Aaron Richard Purdum, was born June 9, 1926 near Kent, Iowa. Clifford entered into rest on January 5, 2017 at the age of ninety years.
During Cliffords childhood the family lived in several places in the Lenox community. He attended country schools and Lenox High School.
Clifford entered the United States Army on April 18, 1945 and received basic training at Ft. Sill, OK. He served in the Army Signal Corps with the 3rd Infantry Division. His responsibilities were to re-establish communication in post WW II Germany. He was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany for the duration of his service and was Honorably Discharged in 1946. Clifford achieved the rank of Sergeant.
Clifford and Leone Sammons were united in marriage on June 15, 1947 at the United Methodist Church in Creston, Iowa. After their marriage, they lived in Lenox and then spent the next sixty-nine years at their Creston farm residence.
Clifford was a lifelong farmer and took pride in constantly improving the farmstead and land. He farmed with his brother Raymond and retired from actively farming in 1997. He made many improvements to both the home and farm buildings during his long career. He enjoyed all aspects of farming including crop production and raising hogs and cattle.
Clifford was an active member of the community and a member of the Creston BPOE (Elks), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Cromwell United Church of Christ, and Crestmoor Golf Club.
Clifford enjoyed traveling, golf, reading, and visits to the farm by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed morning coffee with other farmers at the Creston Sale Barn during his retirement.
Clifford is survived by his wife, Leone (Sammons) Purdum of Creston and four children: Debra Chapman (husband Mike) of Ellston, IA, Cyndy Jeffryes (husband Curt) of Ankeny, Curtis Purdum of Ankeny and Tracy Purdum (wife Carla) of Indianola. In addition, he is survived by twelve grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; his Sisters-in-law, Bert Purdum of Lenox and Shirlee (Sammons) Ludemann of Grimes.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Raymond and Dale Purdum; and his sisters: Lucille Goldsmith, Gladys Leach and Jean Lewis.