Andrew Griffith Pursley

Obituary Notice

Andrew Griffith Pursley, of Little Rock, was born on June 29, 1928, in Lebanon, TN and died on Sunday, October 9, 2005. He entered the U. S. Army in 1944, completed paratrooper and gliderist training. He served on active duty in Japan from 1946 to 1948. From a young age, Andrew enjoyed the outdoors, especially forests and wildlife. In 1953 he joined the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission and served with them until 1961 at which time he joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and served with them until his retirement in 1983. He conducted Eagle Awareness programs throughout the country with Jane Gulley. Their program was the first education program sponsored by the USFWS and became the prototype for others. He worked at conserving species from Alaska to the marshes of Louisiana. Andrew took numerous wildlife photos, many were published throughout the years in wildlife publications. He was also active in his church and as a ham radio operator.

He is survived by his daughter, Ruth Pursley Klingbeil, and two stepsons, John Ogles and family of Memphis, TN and Martin Ogles and family of Granite Bay, CA.

The family requests that he be remembered as a man who made a difference in preserving the environment for future generations to enjoy and someone who never net a stranger.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, #2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205 or the National Conservation Training Center, Rt.1 Box 166, Shepherd Grade Rd. Shepherdtown, WV 25443. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

 

Register Book

 

  • David E. Pursley and Evy Andrus-Pursley
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Email: atlantabiker@biltmorecomm.com

 

  • Pursley was a dear friend and an inspiration for his dedication to the enviroment. Our family will miss him, and I know he will always be remembered by us as a true and caring friend and a loving extension of our family.
    Jane R. Gulley
    Little Rock, Arkansas

 

  • We shall miss our dear friend. Katy and Steve Phelan
    Katy and Steve Phelan
    Lebanon, Tennessee

 

  • Bob and Faye Slattery
    USFW Special Agent
    Ruther Glen , Virginia

 

  • Patsy Lane Kelley
    Gallatin, Tennessee
    Email: pappiek76@comcast.net

 

  • A sweet man who loved his family and loved wildlife. He will be missed. His great neice in Gallatin, TN, Katherine Woodward, was very sad to hear of his passing. They were buddies.
    Terrie Woodward
    Gallatin, Tennessee
    Email: gracekw1@aol.com

 

  • Suzanne McGee
    Little Rock, Arkansas

 

  • My heartfelt thoughts are with Ruth and Joe. Andy was a very special person and I was very fond of him. So much so, one of my sons is named after him.
    Helen C. Ogles
    Brentwood, Tennessee
    Email: coglesnoi@aol.com

 

  • Ruth and Joe, You have my condolences over the death of Andy. I got to see him in Gallatin when Marjorie died, and I am so glad of that. I am thinking about you both, in your loss.
    Your cousin,
    Lane W. Tyler
    Nashville, Tennessee
    Email: lane315@comcast.net

 

  • Andrew was a friend from our early childhood. He was at one time very close to my family. He will be missed.
    Glenda Baddour Palmer, Patricia Baddour
    Hernando, Mississippi
    Email: gpalmer843@aol.com

 

  • Mary G Hodges
    Old Hickory, Tennessee

 

  • I would like to extend the services of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Enforcement Honor Guard for the memorial service if desired. It would be an honor for us.

    Jason Whitehead
    Lieutenant, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
    Sheridan, Arkansas
    Email: jbwhitehead@agfc.state.ar.us

 

  • We know you take comfort in knowing that Andy is now residing in the presence of the ultimate outdoorsman and we share your peace.

    Our deepest sympathy,
    Brad and Sue Cromley & Family
    Little Rock, Arkansas

 

  • Andrew was a very special friend to my family and meant alot to me. He is remembered lovingly and the picture of the three owls that I have will continue to be treasured. My heart goes out to you, his family, and his dear friends. I'm glad he is at peace now.
    Kay Phelan Hoskins
    Smyrna, Tennessee

 

  • Ruthie, that was a lovely obituary--one that Andy would have liked. I can see by that picture why your momma married him... We're keeping you in our prayers and we know Andy's in a better place. We'll see you next week. Love,
    Barbara J. Ogles
    Memphis, Tennessee

 

  • William Frederick Lane, Jr.
    Brentwood, Tennessee
    Email: wlane@comcast.net

 

  • To the family of Andy Pursley: You did not know me but I knew Andy well. He and my dad were game wardens together and he meant the world to our family. My sympathies go out to his family. Please know that you are in our thoughts. My dad's name was Walter Matthews and we lived in Arkansas City at the time. God bless you all!
    Beth Roberts
    Monticello, Arkansas
    Email: robertsb@uamont.edu

 

  • My children, C.W. and Jordan, will miss their dear friend, Andrew, greatly.

    Cindy Green
    Little Rock, Arkansas
    Email: MOMCWAJ@aol.com

 

  • I have very fond memories of Uncle Andy. I am sorry for your loss, but also I am comforted in knowing that he is no longer suffering and the pain of watching him suffer is absent.
    Pattie Suddarth
    Gallatin, Tennessee