November 26, 1934 –  November 7, 2016  Rufus Paul Idell passed away Monday, November 7, 2016 at his residence in Gainesville at the age of eighty-one. He was born November 26, 1934 in Callisburg, Texas to Roy Edgar and Bessie Mary (Huse) Idell. Rufus was employed by the City of Gainesville as a firefighter and in maintenance for Cooke County. He was a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Funeral are set for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10th at Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Gainesville with Rev. Tony Norman officiating. Interment will follow in Callisburg Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Survivors of Rufus Idell include his wife, Billie Idell of Gainesville; daughters and sons-in-law, Paula and Louis Hacker of Whitesboro and Wanda and Mike Thurman of Callisburg; step-sons, Mike Murphy of Pineville, Louisiana, Steve Murphy of San Antonio and Allen Stewart of Gordonville; step-daughter, Karen Shears of Gordonville; eight grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren and sister, Nell Trammell of Gainesville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Bessie Idell; first wife, Mary Idell; daughter, Ruthie Puckett; son, Billy Rufus Idell; brothers, W.J., R. C. and Johnny Idell and a sister, Virgie Idell.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Church or Cooke County Home Hospice. http://videos.lifetributes.com/750238