James Irving “Jim” Purnell passed away unexpectedly at his home in Manassas, VA on
Tuesday, March 19, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife, Bonnie Walker Purnell, in
January 2018.
Jim was the son of Irving Frazier and Mary Clark Purnell, now deceased and brother of
Beth Purnell Swink, deceased. Jim was born in Washington, DC on February 1, 1940 and
is survived by his brothers, Thomas (Peggy) of Woodbridge, VA, Michael (Christa) of
Brunswick, GA, John (Anne) of Sinking Spring, PA, and his sister, Marianne Purnell
Kernan of Pinehurst, NC. Always there for the youngsters, Jim was a favored uncle to 10
nieces and nephews and their children.
Jim grew up in Occoquan, VA which he always remembered with great fondness and
tales of childhood shenanigans with his siblings and friends. He graduated from Garfield
High School and immediately went to work for the Virginia Army National Guard at the
Lorton Missile Site. After several years with the VANG, Jim began work at the Federal
Bureau of Engraving and Printing as an appretice printer. He retired in 1995 as a Plate
Printer Foreman. During this time, Jim also proudly served his country in the Naval Air
Reserve and retired as a Command Master Chief. Among the many organizations Jim
belonged to was the US Naval Fleet Reserve. His associations with those in these
organizations were always important to Jim and he would meet with “the guys” as often as
possible.
Retirement was not a time for growing old for Jim – for he then had time to pursue his
love of aviation, which was always a passion of his. Jim owned and flew his own aircraft
and could be found many days at a hangar at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Fredricksburg
Airport, Manassas Airport and the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport. Loving aircraft as he did,
Jim became an FAA Certified Aircraft Airframe & Powerplant mechanic and
Owner/President of Purnell Aircraft Maintenance LLC where he found great pleasure in
working on others’ aircraft and being surrounded by the many friends that he had made at
the airfields.
Jim also had a very kind and gentle nature – he loved children, animals, and his family.
Jim Purnell never knew a stranger!! He is most characterized by his generosity,
willingness, and kindness always to others.
There will be visitation from 9:30 to11:00 a.m., April 27, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, 12975 Purcell Rd, Manassas, VA 20112. The funeral service will begin
immediately thereafter, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.
A private family interment of his cremains will occur at a later date/time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Linden Lodge Foundation,
P.O. Box 4153, Pinehurst, NC 28374 – an organization near and dear to Jim’s heart.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife, Bonnie Walker Purnell, in
January 2018.
Jim was the son of Irving Frazier and Mary Clark Purnell, now deceased and brother of
Beth Purnell Swink, deceased. Jim was born in Washington, DC on February 1, 1940 and
is survived by his brothers, Thomas (Peggy) of Woodbridge, VA, Michael (Christa) of
Brunswick, GA, John (Anne) of Sinking Spring, PA, and his sister, Marianne Purnell
Kernan of Pinehurst, NC. Always there for the youngsters, Jim was a favored uncle to 10
nieces and nephews and their children.
Jim grew up in Occoquan, VA which he always remembered with great fondness and
tales of childhood shenanigans with his siblings and friends. He graduated from Garfield
High School and immediately went to work for the Virginia Army National Guard at the
Lorton Missile Site. After several years with the VANG, Jim began work at the Federal
Bureau of Engraving and Printing as an appretice printer. He retired in 1995 as a Plate
Printer Foreman. During this time, Jim also proudly served his country in the Naval Air
Reserve and retired as a Command Master Chief. Among the many organizations Jim
belonged to was the US Naval Fleet Reserve. His associations with those in these
organizations were always important to Jim and he would meet with “the guys” as often as
possible.
Retirement was not a time for growing old for Jim – for he then had time to pursue his
love of aviation, which was always a passion of his. Jim owned and flew his own aircraft
and could be found many days at a hangar at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Fredricksburg
Airport, Manassas Airport and the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport. Loving aircraft as he did,
Jim became an FAA Certified Aircraft Airframe & Powerplant mechanic and
Owner/President of Purnell Aircraft Maintenance LLC where he found great pleasure in
working on others’ aircraft and being surrounded by the many friends that he had made at
the airfields.
Jim also had a very kind and gentle nature – he loved children, animals, and his family.
Jim Purnell never knew a stranger!! He is most characterized by his generosity,
willingness, and kindness always to others.
There will be visitation from 9:30 to11:00 a.m., April 27, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, 12975 Purcell Rd, Manassas, VA 20112. The funeral service will begin
immediately thereafter, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.
A private family interment of his cremains will occur at a later date/time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Linden Lodge Foundation,
P.O. Box 4153, Pinehurst, NC 28374 – an organization near and dear to Jim’s heart.
James Irving “Jim” Purnell passed away unexpectedly at his home in Manassas, VA on
Tuesday, March 19, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife, Bonnie Walker Purnell, in
January 2018.
Jim was the son of Irving Frazier and Mary Clark Purnell, now deceased and brother of
Beth Purnell Swink, deceased. Jim was born in Washington, DC on February 1, 1940 and
is survived by his brothers, Thomas (Peggy) of Woodbridge, VA, Michael (Christa) of
Brunswick, GA, John (Anne) of Sinking Spring, PA, and his sister, Marianne Purnell
Kernan of Pinehurst, NC. Always there for the youngsters, Jim was a favored uncle to 10
nieces and nephews and their children.
Jim grew up in Occoquan, VA which he always remembered with great fondness and
tales of childhood shenanigans with his siblings and friends. He graduated from Garfield
High School and immediately went to work for the Virginia Army National Guard at the
Lorton Missile Site. After several years with the VANG, Jim began work at the Federal
Bureau of Engraving and Printing as an appretice printer. He retired in 1995 as a Plate
Printer Foreman. During this time, Jim also proudly served his country in the Naval Air
Reserve and retired as a Command Master Chief. Among the many organizations Jim
belonged to was the US Naval Fleet Reserve. His associations with those in these
organizations were always important to Jim and he would meet with “the guys” as often as
possible.
Retirement was not a time for growing old for Jim – for he then had time to pursue his
love of aviation, which was always a passion of his. Jim owned and flew his own aircraft
and could be found many days at a hangar at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Fredricksburg
Airport, Manassas Airport and the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport. Loving aircraft as he did,
Jim became an FAA Certified Aircraft Airframe & Powerplant mechanic and
Owner/President of Purnell Aircraft Maintenance LLC where he found great pleasure in
working on others’ aircraft and being surrounded by the many friends that he had made at
the airfields.
Jim also had a very kind and gentle nature – he loved children, animals, and his family.
Jim Purnell never knew a stranger!! He is most characterized by his generosity,
willingness, and kindness always to others.
There will be visitation from 9:30 to11:00 a.m., April 27, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, 12975 Purcell Rd, Manassas, VA 20112. The funeral service will begin
immediately thereafter, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.
A private family interment of his cremains will occur at a later date/time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Linden Lodge Foundation,
P.O. Box 4153, Pinehurst, NC 28374 – an organization near and dear to Jim’s heart.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife, Bonnie Walker Purnell, in
January 2018.
Jim was the son of Irving Frazier and Mary Clark Purnell, now deceased and brother of
Beth Purnell Swink, deceased. Jim was born in Washington, DC on February 1, 1940 and
is survived by his brothers, Thomas (Peggy) of Woodbridge, VA, Michael (Christa) of
Brunswick, GA, John (Anne) of Sinking Spring, PA, and his sister, Marianne Purnell
Kernan of Pinehurst, NC. Always there for the youngsters, Jim was a favored uncle to 10
nieces and nephews and their children.
Jim grew up in Occoquan, VA which he always remembered with great fondness and
tales of childhood shenanigans with his siblings and friends. He graduated from Garfield
High School and immediately went to work for the Virginia Army National Guard at the
Lorton Missile Site. After several years with the VANG, Jim began work at the Federal
Bureau of Engraving and Printing as an appretice printer. He retired in 1995 as a Plate
Printer Foreman. During this time, Jim also proudly served his country in the Naval Air
Reserve and retired as a Command Master Chief. Among the many organizations Jim
belonged to was the US Naval Fleet Reserve. His associations with those in these
organizations were always important to Jim and he would meet with “the guys” as often as
possible.
Retirement was not a time for growing old for Jim – for he then had time to pursue his
love of aviation, which was always a passion of his. Jim owned and flew his own aircraft
and could be found many days at a hangar at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Fredricksburg
Airport, Manassas Airport and the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport. Loving aircraft as he did,
Jim became an FAA Certified Aircraft Airframe & Powerplant mechanic and
Owner/President of Purnell Aircraft Maintenance LLC where he found great pleasure in
working on others’ aircraft and being surrounded by the many friends that he had made at
the airfields.
Jim also had a very kind and gentle nature – he loved children, animals, and his family.
Jim Purnell never knew a stranger!! He is most characterized by his generosity,
willingness, and kindness always to others.
There will be visitation from 9:30 to11:00 a.m., April 27, 2019, at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church, 12975 Purcell Rd, Manassas, VA 20112. The funeral service will begin
immediately thereafter, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.
A private family interment of his cremains will occur at a later date/time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Linden Lodge Foundation,
P.O. Box 4153, Pinehurst, NC 28374 – an organization near and dear to Jim’s heart.
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