Roger Kenneth Purser

Roger K. Purser of Bartlesville, OK, went on to his heavenly home on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at the age of 77. Roger was born April 25, 1945, in Purcell, OK to B.K. Purser and Clova V. (Russell) Purser. He graduated from Ponca City High School in 1963 where he discovered his interest in science. He attended the University of Oklahoma and received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1968, a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Administration in 1975, a Master’s Degree in Chemistry Education in 1977, and a PhD in Science Education in 1980. Roger served in the US Army from 1968-1970 as a Military Intelligence Administrator where he was stationed in Germany. During this time, he discovered his love for travel and adventure. In 1972, he married the love of his life, Diana Dickson of Woodward, OK. They met at the University of Oklahoma while taking a teacher’s exam. Roger said he knew he wanted to marry Diana on their first date. The married couple worked as teachers in the Oklahoma City area until they were offered the chance of a lifetime in 1981 which was the opportunity to teach for the Department of Defense School Systems in west Germany. Roger and Diana happily packed up everything, including their newborn daughter April and two puppy dogs, to move and start their next adventure. In 1989, Roger and family returned to the US to teach in Woodward, OK for 8 years and then came to Bartlesville to teach at Bartlesville High School in 1997. Roger was a science teacher from 1971 until 2007 and enjoyed teaching in Germany and throughout Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Yukon, Woodward, and Bartlesville schools). Roger loved the Lord and regularly attended Bartlesville Southern Baptist Church. Roger also loved reading and watching westerns, target shooting, cooking, traveling, taking his puppy dogs on walks, eating chocolate, riding his bike, watching his beloved OU Sooners play football, and spending time with his family and friends. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Diana Purser, and sister-in-law Nancy Purser. Roger is survived by his daughter April and husband Daniel Young of Bartlesville, OK; sister Myra and husband Michael Bumagin of Ft. Worth, TX; brother Russell B. Purser of Wichita, KS; sister-in-law Andrea and husband Chris Gunning of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren Anna and Logan Young; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate Roger’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Bartlesville Southern Baptist Church, 5111 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Roger’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Roger Kenneth Purser

April 25, 1945 - November 13, 2022