Gerald "Jerry" L. Purcell

Gerald (Jerry) Lee Purcell passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. A visitation will be held 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines, with a Celebration of Life service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery following the service.

Jerry was born April 23, 1937 to Richard E. and Virginia M. Purcell. He was raised and attended schools in Norwalk and Des Moines, Iowa. He joined the Navy on his 17th birthday and served four years aboard the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Essex and U.S.S. Kearesarge. Jerry was a veteran of the Korean War and belonged to American Legion Post 562 in Cumming, Iowa.

On October 25, 1958, Jerry married Eileen Ingram and they raised three children. He worked as a pipefitter for 35 years at Bridgestone/Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Des Moines, retiring in 2000.

Jerry loved to cook, work in his yard, and especially loved to travel. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Eileen; three children, Dana Purcell of Hernando, MS, Cara Murphy (Tony Kyalo) of West Des Moines and Mark (Deb Ryan-Purcell) Purcell of Des Moines; eight grandchildren; Stephan Ryan of Iowa City, Matt (Rachel) Murphy of Coralville, Joe Murphy of Minneapolis, Catherine (Carlos) Infante of Geneva, Switzerland, Sean Murphy of Bowie, MD, Micah Purcell of Iowa City, Max Purcell of Des Moines, and Merrick Purcell of Dubuque; two great grandchildren, Lillian and Drake Murphy of Coralville, sister Pat Stamatelos, brother Richard Purcell, sister Linda Doty and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Purcell, daughter-in-law Kathleen Purcell, and both parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Legion Post 562 in Cumming, Iowa or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.