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From Rodeo Clown to Lawyer

7/11/2013

3 Comments

 
Those who have attended closely so far have no doubt figured out that my friend the Texas lawyer Kirk Purcell had—maybe he’s matured with the passage of time—a wicked sense of humor.  (I mean, the fact that he was once a Rodeo Clown tells you something about the man.)  A sense of humor that I found appealing.  For example, Kirk would write long letters to celebrities in which he would, as the saying goes, piss on their shoes while he told them it was raining.  The thing is, these folks would, apparently, think he was on the up and up and write him back (or else at least have their minions fulfill his usual request for an autographed photograph).  Understand, this was before celebrity stalking had become so common, so I guess it just was a more trusting time.  I have personally seen letters to and from Norman Mailer (Purcell offered to stage a grudge no-holds-barred wrestling match between Mailer and Gore Vidal), Alabama Governor George Wallace (Purcell asked if it was okay to name his son after the Governor), Gerald Ford, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, and Anita Bryant.  I remember seeing correspondence between Purcell and Pat Boone.  Boone was the white buck wearing singer/movie star who was wholesome almost to a fault.  Purcell wrote him fan letters that were, to my mind, transparently tongue-in-cheek, and Boone responded.  There were letters sent to Richard Nixon—“the only president I’ll ever have.”

Picture
The Lawyer Kirk Purcell
Purcell’s stage and letter-writing persona was that of the Reverend Billy Joe Bob $weeney, spiritual leader of the “Anti-UnAmericanism Crusade” whose motto was “Always Grab a Republican by the Neck.”  He once wrote to Ugandan President (and despot) Idi Amin telling him that the Anti-UnAmericanism Crusade had named him “The Crusade’s Honorary American of 1978” and had named a grocery store after him “in recognition of your many accomplishments as a military leader, statesman, and race car driver.”

And I once read a short biographical blurb on Purcell which described him as leaning “to the left politically, and to the right when he dances.”

I haven't been in touch with him in years.  I hope Kirk’s well and happy and prosperous and that he’s allowed to move about unsupervised.

3 Comments
Top Asylum Lawyer link
8/26/2013 10:21:55 pm

I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. Thanks for sharing.

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Don Gandy
4/3/2014 08:39:18 am

Kirk was also one of my best friends. We used to cohost the "Walk Tall America" night. It was a gigantic party with a very diverse guest list. At that party Kirk, in his persona of Rev. $weeney would present the "Big Stick"award as a tribute to Buford Pusser, made famous in the movie Walking Tall". Unfortunately Kirk passed away in early October of 2005 from apparent heart failure. He was truly one of the most unique people I've ever known.

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Tamy Green
4/27/2015 03:12:10 pm

Kirk was a rare person with a wickedly funny sense of humor. We used to just sit and laugh and talk about senseless things. met him when his law office was on the same floor as my office in the Commerce Building, Dowtown Ft. Worth. He lived in the Forest Park Apartments and I found it odd that he had no furnishings. He said he just never thought about having a couch. That was just Kirk's way. I had the pleasure of being his guest at "Walk Tall America" night. It was a great time and a huge event with a diverse crowd of interesting people. I remember visiting Don Gandy and his lovely wife at their home with Kirk by my side. They were a pleasure to visit with. Kirk once escorted me to the "Bluebird Lounge" and I had the time of my life, dancing and listening to the Blues. I hold Kirk in a place of wonderful memories that won't be forgotten. He was an extraordinary man indeed and I am honored to have known him.

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