Aug. 15, 2025, was a difficult day for First Baptist Church and the community of Muleshoe. Within a 24-hour period, three influential men passed away.
The first was Dr. Bruce Purdy. Jim Daniels was the second. The last was James Byers. Each of their funeral services was held at 11 a.m. on three consecutive days. Jim’s service on Thursday, James’ on Friday, and Dr. Purdy’s funeral on Saturday.
Jim Daniels
Jim Daniels was a much-beloved agriculture and world geography teacher. Before coming to Muleshoe, Jim was a nomadic “ag” teacher. He and Lynn settled in Muleshoe and stayed for 18 years.
He possessed a warm personality that drew students to him. He gave most students a personal nickname. Jim taught with a relaxed demeanor, while John Wayne kept an eye on the students from an obvious bulletin board. In retirement, Jim won a seat as a Bailey County Commissioner.
He was a living lesson: Regardless of our profession, we are first and foremost in the relationship business.
Yadira Garcia was the lead paramedic on the Bailey County Ambulance Crew who carried Jim home to begin his hospice care.
Yadira told Jim’s wife, Lynn: “I am a paramedic because Jim told me, ‘You can do whatever you believe you can do.”
His funeral service was well attended by Muleshoe Independent School District faculty, former students, community members and church friends.
James Byers
James Byers was a model of Christian service and marital devotion. James’ wife, Terry, passed away in October 2024. She struggled with Crohn’s disease for more than 50 years.
They lived most of their married life with an immediate medical need. James retired from the local phone provider to give 24-hour care to Terry. He learned to lift, manage medication and operate a home dialysis machine, along with many other tasks. He was a model of constant selfless giving.
After Terry’s death, James told his doctor, “I am having trouble swallowing.”
The series of tests revealed James had throat cancer. It was beyond treatment.
I asked, “James, have you been ill for a while?”
“Yes, I knew something was going on, but I could not go to the doctor. I needed to care for Terry.”
It was another example of James giving himself for Terry. Members of the church, phone cooperative and community came to pay tribute to a man who lived out Christian service.
Bruce Purdy
On Saturday, patients, nurses, physician assistants, the community of Muleshoe and friends from across Texas gathered to say, “Thank you,” to the hometown doctor who served our area 44 years. Bruce’s highest ambition was to be the town doctor in the place where he grew up.
Dr. Purdy delivered more than 2,000 babies, traveled to the emergency room at 4 a.m. countless times, stitched endless cuts and set numerous bones. He practiced medicine in both English and Spanish.
His best friend noted Bruce was willing to give anything for any patient. At 44 years of age, he had his first heart attack. The helicopter waited on the pad while Bruce wrote prescriptions for his hospital patients.
Bruce was also the Boy Scout troop leader, who assisted 14 young men in earning Eagle Scout badges. Eagle Scout projects dot the landscape of our small town.
Dr. Purdy enhanced the landscape and the lives of the people in Muleshoe.
Three funerals
On three consecutive days, First Baptist Church in Muleshoe held funeral services for beloved members of our church and community. Behind the scenes, dozens of people gave their time, energy and gifts to support these families.
There is a locally owned funeral home with deep roots in the community, offering personalized service and meticulous attention to detail. The staff of the flower shop was sleep-deprived.
Two of our members took care that our grounds were presentable each day. The pianist gave time and effort to meet the requests of each family. The sound and video team was present early to ensure the equipment was ready, livestreamed every service and made sure the unique elements of each service were provided at the right time.
The deacons of First Baptist Church were present and prepared to assist the families and those who attended the service. If the sanctuary was filled, they were prepared to provide additional seating.
The security team was at their post before, during and after each service.
The hospitality committee served two meals to large families. For the third service, the committee provided a dessert reception for more than 300 people. Innumerable members of the church provided food for all three services.
Also, unseen in those days was the custodian who cleaned the sanctuary and fellowship hall four times in one week, the music minister who organized and sorted out the various media requirements for each service, the youth minister and children’s minister who learned to test the video feed, just in case.
Our media manager was paying attention to every detail during each service.
The reality of ministry
When young ministers struggle with a call to serve and the realities of life, we often say things like, “I just want to love Jesus and help people.”
When we say that—at least when I said it—it is a statement of ignorance. We assume loving Jesus and people are easy. I uttered that pseudo-spiritual phrase trying to justify my poor effort in a college algebra class.
The reality of ministry is helping people in the name of Christ requires a great deal of time, energy, organization, commitment and flexibility. It involves stamina.
We all can be grateful for the body of Christ that rallies with great effort and energy to give witness to the gospel in acts of kindness and respect.
Stacy Conner is pastor of First Baptist Church in Muleshoe. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.
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