Douglas Grant PURDON

News Death Notice

PURDON, Douglas Grant age 82 of Louisville, Ky., returned to his Heavenly Father on April 9, 2012. Millions of Americans benefited from his optical career. Thanks to Douglas, Progressive Addition Lens aka No Line Bifocals are successfully manufactured and correctly fitted for the U.S.A. public. Doug launched the sales program and trained many sales staff and optical laboratories throughout the country to prescribe and fit these innovative corrective lens products (glasses) from Essilor (France) and Silor (Australia). Doug worked with the US FDA to develop standards for the new lens which are still used today. He was the first General Manager with Varilux, USA. Douglas lectured in Europe and throughout the United States to optical dispensers, optometrists, opticians, and optical colleges on the use of fitting of these lenses. Doug's health required retirement in 1992. The last 20 years, he spent in Louisville with his wife Joyce, his cat Satou and his Classic Cadillac. His friends at KYANA Car Club and Hikes Point Neighborhood will miss this gentle witty man. He is preceded in death by his father Ralph, mother Hazel, infant son Thomas and his first wife Marilyn Tinney Purdon. Douglas is mourned by his wife Joyce Purdon; his daughter, Karen Kershaw (Thomas); stepdaughters, Ann Marie Adams (Richard) and Angela Schreiber (Rick); step-son, Carmine C. Campione (Michele); 8 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. A celebration and memorial of Doug's life for family and friends will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 15th, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 235 Juneau Drive in Louisville, KY. with visitation from 2-4:00 p.m. Inurnment will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the Epilepsy Foundation or the Lion's Club. Online condolences may be made at www.Newcomerlouisville.com.