Jerry Dale Purdon, 86, of Texas City, passed away Thursday May 21, 2026, peacefully at home.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Friday, May 29, 2026, and Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 30, 2026, both at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City.

Jerry was born June 5, 1939, in Mt. Vernon, Texas, where he developed many fond memories of camping, fishing, and hunting along White Oak Bottom. He later joined the United States Marine Corps and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During his military service, while on leave, he met Billie Blount outside a local movie theatre. She would become his wife for sixty-five years.

After his military service, he and his new family moved to Texas City, Texas where he joined the Police Department. He obtained the ranks of Sergeant in 1968 and Captain in 1979. On October 1, 1985, he was appointed Chief of Police with the Texas City Police Department and served in that capacity until December 9, 2002. His official retirement date started on February 1, 2003.

Under his leadership, the department was a finalist in the Webber-Seavy Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 1996 and the Betty Scheaf Award from the HOSTS Foundation.

Jerry graduated from Baylor University in 1975. He is a 1979 graduate of the National FBI Academy and completed the FBI LEEDS 29 Program in 1994. He held a Master Peace Officer's license.

Though he had a distinguished lifelong career, he spent as many days as possible fishing. On days where the weather discouraged enjoying the outdoors, he would find a quiet game of Texas Hold'em. He studied his Bible on a regular basis and enjoyed his time with friends and family. Jerry loved to tell a good story.

Jerry had many sayings and words of wisdom, one of his favorites: "Where you go, there you are."

He is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Valerie Purdon, his siblings Kenneth Blake, Tommy Purdon, and Jackie Hervey.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Billie Purdon, daughter Renee (husband Terry, son Kody, great grandson Wyatt); son Jerry, Jr. (wife Krystal, sons Trey and Stoney (wife Sarah) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to mention but not forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salvation Army in his honor.