COACH JIM KEITH PURYEAR, 87, "ran" (as
opposed to passing) into Heaven on Nov. 10, 2016.
Jim was born on Aug. 21, 1929 in Cardin, Oklahoma.
He graduated from high school in 1947 from Miami
High School, Miami, OK. He served in the U.S. Navy
from 1948-1952. While in the Navy he served on the
USS Perch (SS-313). After the Navy he entered college
at the University of North Texas. He was a four year
letterman in football at North Texas where he received
both his Bachelors & Masters Degrees. After graduation
he began his coaching career.
While at North Texas, he met and married the love of
his life, Jeanene. They were married in Nov. of 1956.
His coaching stops included Carrollton High School,
Ranger Jr. College, Cisco Jr. College, Wharton County
Jr. College and Cisco High School. As a football coach,
he invented the Quail Formation. An offensive formation
designed to attack the line of scrimmage on a broad
front. After coaching, he spent several years as an
administrator and principal with Cisco ISD.
Jim was a Coach and leader not only in schools, but in
his Church and community. He served as a deacon and
various other offices at First Baptist and Calvary
Baptist Church in Cisco. He was a school board member,
Member of the Board of Trustees at Cisco College, City
Council member and City Judge. He enjoyed golf and
fishing and, most of all his family. He loved to dress
as Santa at Christmas because he did not need extra
padding in the Santa Suit. He is currently diagramming
football plays with the likes of Lombardi, Bryant and
Rockne.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Jeanene; his
parents, Ellis and Dallas Puryear and two sisters,
Rhea Vaughn and Anne Dean Angel. Survivors include
two sons, Pepper and wife, Debra, and Mike and wife,
Sandra; grandchildren Andrew and wife, Brittany,
Austin and wife, Haley, Kathleen, Ross and Shea;
and great-grandchildren Lily, Nolan and Graham.