Vernon Thomas Purcell, Sr., 87, of Atlanta, Georgia, died peacefully on May 23, 2013. Born on May 15, 1926, Vernon was the son of the late Benjamin Harrison and Hattie Oliver Purcell. Vernon grew up in Clarkesville, Georgia until he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16. Vernon served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, where he was stationed in the Pacific on the U.S.S. Independence. After returning home, Vernon attended the University of Georgia and later graduated from Southern Tech, now Southern Polytechnic State University. He went on to own Powell’s Ice Cream and Frozen Foods. Vernon married Catherine Jane Taylor of Chamblee, Georgia in 1950. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a hard-working man with a passion for working with his hands, building and fixing things. He loved listening to the University of Georgia Bulldogs football games on the radio and later watching them on television. Vernon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine Jane Purcell; his sons and daughters-in-law, Tom and June Purcell of Atlanta and Stan and Karen Purcell of Duluth. He is also survived by his granddaughter and her husband, Emily and Craig McIntyre; and grandchildren, Laura and Michael Purcell. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Charlotte Leigh Purcell; his brothers, Col. Benjamin Harrison Purcell, Jr. James Evard Purcell, and Howard Wheeler; and his sisters, Ollie Ree Purcell Alley and Mildred Purcell Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Heart Association or Hospice Atlanta. Funeral services will be Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 2 o’clock at Patterson’s Arlington Chapel with Rev. Jack Bruce officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Saturday from 4 to 6 o’clock and Sunday from 1 o’clock until the time of service at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.
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