Ellis Eugene “Bud” Hardcastle died June 8, 2024, in Purcell, at the age of 85 years 1 month 4 days. Funeral Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Wadley’s Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made and the service live streamed at www.wadleysfuneralservice.com.
Bud was born May 4, 1939, in Purcell, Oklahoma, to Arthur “Buck” and Lola (Hays) Hardcastle. He grew up and attended school in Purcell, where he graduated high school in 1958. In 1959, Bud joined the United States Army and spent the next four years serving his country.
He lived the rest of his life in the town that he loved and it was there that, on November 27, 2004, he married Barbara Fielder (Rains) Bud led a wonderful life full of love, family, and friends. Throughout his years, he explored a variety of jobs, including selling used cars, selling insurance, and, of course, taking care of the patrons of Rubys Inn alongside Barbara.
There were many facets to the man that Purcell knew as Bud Hardcastle. As many know, he was a social butterfly that had never met a stranger. He was a man that could and would strike up a conversation with anyone about anything. He genuinely enjoyed people and was always there to talk to, to lend a smile or a helping hand, and to support his local community.
Bud was an avid sports fan who supported all levels of teams from his Purcell Dragons to the OU Sooners and beyond. Such was his love for football that he played semi-pro football in Oklahoma City when he was in his early thirties and even participated in a local alumni full pads football game at the age of 49. When not working or enjoying sports , Bud enjoyed spending his free time having morning talks at the coffee shop, loving his large family, and just enjoying life.
He was a man of quiet strength who, along with his brother Paul, helped to raise their siblings after the deaths of their parents. The two brothers instilled a sense of family and created a bond that has lasted throughout their years and has been taught to their newer generations. Bud and Paul not only worked on strengthening their family in their youth, but also strengthening Purcell as pillars of our community throughout their adult lives.
Bud was a “man’s man” who considered himself a poet. He was a historical author with two books that are due to be published and an avid treasure hunter for anything related to Jesse James. Bud had an amazing sense of love and embraced those he cared for whole heartedly. Although he was not the best at keeping time, he knew how to spend it well. Bud shared his smile, his stories, his zest for life, and his love openly. He will be missed.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur “Buck” and Lola (Hays) Hardcastle; his sister, Patricia Ann “Trishann” Taylor; his son-in-law, Dennis Beller; his niece, Liz Roberts; and his nephew, Ricky Hardcastle.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Hardcastle; his daughter, Debra Madden; son, Curtis Fielder; his brothers, Paul Hardcastle and Bill Hardcastle; his sister, Carmen Mitchusson; his grandchildren, Chase Hudson, Chad Hudson, Aaron Hyde, Austin Carr, Staysha Beller and Erica Mills; his great-grandchildren, Jase and Charlie Mills; and numerous other family and friends.