James "Bud" Purtymun

James Elvin Purtymun, born November 9, 1925 in Smelter City, Arizona, south of Old Town Cottonwood, died at the age of 80 at his home in Cottonwood. The son of Jesse Elmer Purtymun and Margaret Elizabeth Thompson who homesteaded in Oak Creek Canyon in the early 1900s. He attended 1st through 8th grade at Sedona School in a building halfway between the Thompson and Purtymun homesteads where Brewer Road is now located. He was a retired carpenter and in later years began writing and publishing. He was actively involved in the Cottonwood Chapter of the Old Time Fiddlers Association, the Road Runners Square Dance Club of Cottonwood, the Sedona Swingers Square Dance Club and the Sedona Historical Society. He lectured at many civic organizations on the history of Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and the Verde Valley. His many hobbies included hunting, fishing and hiking. His love of music inspired him to write many songs. He played a variety of instruments including the guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, accordian and harmonica. He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Arlene Purtymun of Peoria, four grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Saturday January 21 in the Westcott Funeral Home at 10 AM. Any memorial donations can be donated to the American Cancer Society, 2724 E. Lakin Suite 9, Flagstafff, AZ 86004 or to RTA Hospice, 70 Bell Rock Plaza, Sedona, AZ 86351-9066 or the Arizona Historical Society of Sedona, P O Box 10216, Sedona, AZ 86339. An on line guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com