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I don’t know how anyone can say who they are without sharing about those who made the greatest impact in their roots. It is these roots that we embrace or rebel against. I probably did a little of both. With this being said, my roots are deep in Knox County. My grandparents lived and worked here. My father, Harry Pursel, worked as the REA Express agent here in Mount Vernon. My mother, Lavonne Pursel, worked for Ron Gaines at Gaines Produce. My father graduated from Mount Vernon and my mother graduated from Amity.
It was in Amity across from the United Methodist Church that my four brothers (Allen, Carl, Chuck, Danny), two sisters (Lavonne, Pat) and I were raised on a 7 acre farm. Work became a natural part of my life. I had an idyllic life working for the local farmers and roaming the streets of Amity without a care in the world. I never worried about bad guys, drugs destroying people’s lives or being kidnapped. My, have times changed.
My family has expanded to include my wife, Peggy (Wolfe) Pursel, three children (Adam, Matt, and Angela Thompson), grandchildren and multiple nieces/nephews, and cousins. When Peggy and I were married, I was the pastor at the Howard-Wesley United Methodist Churches. For the past 30 years, I have served as a Benefits Specialist and Peggy and I now go to Lifepoint Church here in Mount Vernon.
I start out with my family because our families are important to all of us. We want the best for them. We go to war to preserve what we have for them. When in times of peace, we strive to make our community better for them. Our families provide a key foundation to the community. As a Knox County Commissioner, I am honored by your vote and will strive to be a good and faithful servant to my extended Knox County Family.
You can rest assured that I will use my vast experience to benefit our County.
Education: Mount Vernon Senior High School; Asbury College; Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A.; Methodist Theological School of Ohio, M. Div.; Licenses in Health, Life, P&C.
Some of My Diverse Work Experience: Asplundh Tree Service; Pond Tire Shop; Mount Vernon Asphalt, Pastor of Howard/Wesley Chapel Churches; Pastor of Chapel Hill Church; Varsity Football Coach – East Knox, Mount Vernon, Northridge; Volunteer EMT/Firefighter/Chaplain – Washington Township; Volunteer Coach for youth basketball, soccer, baseball; Field Supervisor for Master Degree students; Sportswriter for Mt. Vernon News; Grant Writer; Monroe Township Trustee; Secretary/President for the Knox County Trustee Association; Landlord; Mission trips; Weekend Food Ministry – Backpacks of Hope.
And let me conclude by saying, it is my hope that everyone in Knox County will have a job to go to, a place to sleep, food on the table, and a hope for a positive tomorrow.
I don’t know how anyone can say who they are without sharing about those who made the greatest impact in their roots. It is these roots that we embrace or rebel against. I probably did a little of both. With this being said, my roots are deep in Knox County. My grandparents lived and worked here. My father, Harry Pursel, worked as the REA Express agent here in Mount Vernon. My mother, Lavonne Pursel, worked for Ron Gaines at Gaines Produce. My father graduated from Mount Vernon and my mother graduated from Amity.
It was in Amity across from the United Methodist Church that my four brothers (Allen, Carl, Chuck, Danny), two sisters (Lavonne, Pat) and I were raised on a 7 acre farm. Work became a natural part of my life. I had an idyllic life working for the local farmers and roaming the streets of Amity without a care in the world. I never worried about bad guys, drugs destroying people’s lives or being kidnapped. My, have times changed.
My family has expanded to include my wife, Peggy (Wolfe) Pursel, three children (Adam, Matt, and Angela Thompson), grandchildren and multiple nieces/nephews, and cousins. When Peggy and I were married, I was the pastor at the Howard-Wesley United Methodist Churches. For the past 30 years, I have served as a Benefits Specialist and Peggy and I now go to Lifepoint Church here in Mount Vernon.
I start out with my family because our families are important to all of us. We want the best for them. We go to war to preserve what we have for them. When in times of peace, we strive to make our community better for them. Our families provide a key foundation to the community. As a Knox County Commissioner, I am honored by your vote and will strive to be a good and faithful servant to my extended Knox County Family.
You can rest assured that I will use my vast experience to benefit our County.
Education: Mount Vernon Senior High School; Asbury College; Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A.; Methodist Theological School of Ohio, M. Div.; Licenses in Health, Life, P&C.
Some of My Diverse Work Experience: Asplundh Tree Service; Pond Tire Shop; Mount Vernon Asphalt, Pastor of Howard/Wesley Chapel Churches; Pastor of Chapel Hill Church; Varsity Football Coach – East Knox, Mount Vernon, Northridge; Volunteer EMT/Firefighter/Chaplain – Washington Township; Volunteer Coach for youth basketball, soccer, baseball; Field Supervisor for Master Degree students; Sportswriter for Mt. Vernon News; Grant Writer; Monroe Township Trustee; Secretary/President for the Knox County Trustee Association; Landlord; Mission trips; Weekend Food Ministry – Backpacks of Hope.
And let me conclude by saying, it is my hope that everyone in Knox County will have a job to go to, a place to sleep, food on the table, and a hope for a positive tomorrow.
