By Rachel Brandes
Moapa Valley Progress
The Senior Center suffered a great loss during its Health Fair held on Thursday, February 21. Senior Center Director, Jim Purkey passed away after suffering a stroke in the mid-afternoon hours.
Purkey had spent the day busy at work as Senior Center Director. Starting the day off with the new Senior Center ground breaking ceremony and then the Senior Center Health and Wellness Fair.
Purkey collapsed during the Health Fair. At that time, bystanders quickly dialed 911 from the Senior Center. According to seniors at the center, 911 dispatch told them there was no one available at that time to respond.
A member of the Senior Center, knowing an employee of the newspaper, phoned the Progress office in a panic, asking what they should do next.
Progress employees quickly contacted a Metro Officer who immediately responded to the scene. An employee of the Progress, who had first aid and CPR training, went to the center to see what she could do to help.
Upon arrival DuPee found many panicked seniors in an uproar that there was, as yet, no EMT response. Along with Metro Officers who had responded, several others attempted to revive Purkey but with no luck.
In the meantime, volunteer EMTs were quickly mobilizing to respond. Witnesses at the scene said that the EMTs arrived about 25 minutes after the 911 call.
Purkey was taken by ambulance to Perkins Field Airport where a Flight for Life helicopter had been dispatched to take him into Las Vegas. He died enroute to Las Vegas.
A memorial service for Purkey was held Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at the Senior Center.
