James Purvis, Sr.

James Edward Purvis, Sr., 92, of Vilonia, died August 23, 2021.  He was born in Helena, Arkansas to the late Thornton and Katherine Purvis on June 28, 1929.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, and son, Christopher.  He leaves behind a host of friends and a close knit family, including his son, James Edward Purvis, Jr. (Terry); daughters, Catherine Anne King (Brad) and Margaret Darlene Smith; granddaughter, Michelle King; grandson, John King (Jacqueline); and two great-granddaughters, Amelia Grace and Adeline.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway and a proud member of the Senior Saints.

Although he retired after 42 years with the railroad, he had many interests.  He loved to travel, ride motorcycles, work on cars, garden, teach, box and tell stories about all of his interests.  He traveled with his wife, Joyce, on trips all over America and the world. His greatest interest in traveling was meeting new people while seeing new places.

His love for motorcycles and cars started at an early age.  He could not give an exact number of all the motorcycles and cars he owned or worked on in his life as he never lost interest in the workings of all things mechanical.

He and his son always planted a garden that was to provide vegetables for various food banks.  In his later years, he would allow friends to pick the vegetables for themselves but always leave plenty for food banks.

Even though he taught high school biology, he had a great interest in marine biology which led him, along with his wife, Joyce, to teach Marine Biology for the University of Southern Mississippi.

During the Korean War, in the Marines, he was a member of the elite Marine group, The Chosin Few at the Chosin Reservoir.  During this time he was on the Marine Corps Boxing Team which led the team to many honors.  He personally held multiple titles as Golden Gloves Flyweight champion.  He always told the story he would pose with a left punch which he knew would throw his opponent off as he was right handed.

Even though he was not a politician, he was active in local meetings and was instrumental in obtaining the sewer system for Vilonia.  Armed with a wealth of knowledge, he was always able to add interesting information to any conversation.  He was a good “old soul” who loved God, life, his family and his country.

The Rosary will be Friday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m., followed by visitation until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00, at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Burial will be a private service at Vilonia Cemetery.