Staff Reports
Douglas and Carolyn Purkiss celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2009.
The couple met in Redlands, Calif., in Sept. 1956, and were married three years later in a garden ceremony at the home of the bride's parents in Yucaipa.
Douglas was employed by Southern California Edison Co. for 33 years before retiring. Carolyn worked as church secretary, office manager, volunteer and wrote about the Topaz area in The Record-Courier's "Sweetwater Notes" column.
The Purkisses moved to Wellington in 2001 after many camping and fishing trips to the Walker River.
They have four children: sons, Douglas of Fullerton, Calif., David (Cathy) of Reno, Christopher (Melody) of Temecula, Calif.; and daughter Genna of Hemet, Calif.; six grandchildren, Destiny and Falisha of Reno, Alannah and Skyler of Loma Rica, Calif., Miranda and Emily of Hemet, Calif.; and great-grandchildren Sierra and Brian of Reno.
"The secret of our 50 years is our faith and working things out together," said Carolyn.
The couple plans a camping trip to Washington followed by a cruise tour in Alaska.
