Walter Lynn Purdy

A great father to eight children and a devoted husband to his wife and best friend of 72 years, Mary Jacqueline LaMonde of Cadillac, Michigan. Walt was blessed with 97 years on earth. He was a bright light of optimism for so many who knew him and he will be greatly missed.

Walt was born in 1927 to Howard and Maurine Purdy in his native and beloved Jackson, Michigan. Walt grew up with his three older sisters (Marguerite McQuillan, Jean Blodgett, and Gloria Krenkel), all of whom lived long lives in Jackson and predeceased their “baby” brother. Walt’s roots grew deep in Jackson, as he and our mom, Jackie, raised Howard Purdy (spouse Judi Harmon Purdy), deceased, of Manitou Springs, CO; Claudia Wetzel (spouse Dr. Scott Wetzel) of Colorado Springs, CO; Dr. Thomas Purdy (spouse Dr. M. Hall Gregg) of Chattanooga, TN; Maurine Pons (spouse Ralph Pons) of League City, TX; Mary Hisel (spouse Gary Webb) of Yorktown, VA and Amy Gabura (spouse Mark Gabura) of South Abington, PA. He was devoted to his family while navigating a career in education in the Jackson Public Schools as a teacher and administrator.

His devotion to his family and education blended as we played in the gyms at Helmer and East Intermediate Schools while he worked tirelessly to ensure a creative learning environment for the teachers and students he so valued. Often working into the wee hours of the morning, he was home for dinner with his family and being able to tuck in all of us while singing songs and telling bedtime stories. He always found a way to balance his commitments and looked at each day as a new opportunity to learn and educate.

He worked as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University every summer for over 25 years teaching hundreds of future teachers. He earned his undergraduate degree from Albion College and later went on to earn a master’s degree from the prestigious School of Education at Columbia University and completed all of the coursework and original research towards a doctorate at Michigan State University. He traveled extensively with his family taking us to almost all 50 states, Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada. By his example, two of us became educators for portions of our careers and all of us became devoted spouses, parents, and travelers, raising 19 children and 22 grandchildren in homes filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

His talents weren’t limited to public school education. After 30 years as a teacher and administrator, Walt took his family on another adventure from Jackson to Northern Virginia as he took on the role as Director of Education Services for Edison Electric Institute in Washington, DC. He stayed in this position for over 15 years before ending his career as the Executive Director at the Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education in College Park, Maryland.

We will all miss our Navy veteran father who proudly served his country during WWII, including time at Pearl Harbor (Hickam). Enlisting at the age of 17, he always spoke positively of his experience in the Navy and credits this experience to his success and happiness in life. He instilled in us a love of country and a dedication to family. As a devout Roman Catholic, our dad led by example and taught us to put the lives of others before our own and to take accountability for our mistakes. He was a champion of civil rights and basic equality for all people, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, or religion. We were taught to never use the word “hate” – especially when referring to other people. Our dad wasn’t perfect, but he tried as hard as one could to embody the spirit and actions of a good human being.

The funeral mass for Walter will be at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA on August 16th at 2 pm with a reception to follow at 4 pm at Colonial Heritage Club, 6500 Arthur Hills Drive, Williamsburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Walt's favorite charity, Williamsburg House of Mercy.