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Teddy Joe Purcell
December 31, 1946 ~ July 16, 2014
Teddy Joe Purcell, 67, of Waxahachie, passed away on July 16, 2014, after a long and courageous battle with multiple health issues.
The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 11, 2014 at the Waxahachie Civic Center. Pastor Pedro Eustagio Tavares of Campinas Sao Paulo, Brazil will give the eulogy. Gary Hamilton will officiate. The interment will be at the DFW National Cemetery in Grand Prairie.
Ted was born in Fort Worth on Dec. 31, 1946, the 10th child of William Moses Purcell and Emma Cordelia Hurlbert Purcell. Ted attended Monahans High School, received two bachelor's degrees from Sul Ross and UTPB and a M.Ed. from UtPB. Ted married Charlotte Kay Thompson on May 8, 1965.
Ted served in the U.S. Navy four years and was twice deployed to Vietnam. He was stationed on two destroyers, the U.S.S. Norris and the U.S.S. Lowery. He received an honorable discharge as a FTG 2, Dec. 1968. Early in his career, Ted worked for Texas Instruments in Dallas. He served as a missionary in Brazil for 10 years. After returning home, he pastored churches in West Texas while returning to school and becoming a public servant as a public educator. Ted worked for Crane ISD, Ector County ISD, and Presidio ISD. Ted finished his career serving for 12 years as the superintendent of Faith Family Academy Charter Schools in Waxahachie and Dallas. Ted Always focused on enriching and serving others throughout his life as evidenced by his career choices.
Ted is survived by his wife of 49 years Charlotte Kay Thompson Purcell; daughter, Mollie Jo Purcell; grandsons, Joseph Morley Savage and Christoper Charles Savage; brother, John Author Purcell; sister, Marjorie Purcell Smelser; extended family members and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to The Ted Purcell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the students of Faith Family Academy or a charity of your choice. The family of Teddy Joe Purcell wishes to thank all who have sent prayers and support during his illness.
Faith Family Academy Memorial Obituary
It is with a heavy heart that we tell you of the passing of our good friend and mentor, Ted Purcell. Ted passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 16, following a courageous battle with a number of health issues.
Each of us knew the many sides of Ted - the fun-loving host, the spellbinding story teller, the wise and fatherly mentor, the stern task-master, the generous benefactor, the passionate and dedicated educator, the champion of the underdog, and the loving husband, father grandfather and friend.
We will miss everything Ted brought to this life and we will forever cherish and revere the legacy he leaves behind. Each person whose life he touched and each student who has or ever will attend Faith Family Academy is forever enriched by Ted's vision and tireless effort on behalf of the students and families he served.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlotte, Mollie, Joe and Charlie as they carry forward his work and his vision to make the world a better place.
Online Memorial and Guest Book
Ted Purcell Memorial-Tribute Website
Teddy Joe forever enriched the lives of his Classmates and Friends with his good natured wit and charm evident from the time he was a kid at Wickett Elementary School through the years he strolled down the halls of Monahans High School. Although, he didn't walk across the stage with us at Graduation, he always felt we were his 'True Graduating Class'....so did We. Teddy Joe has been an active Ex of the MHS Class of 1965 since the 25th Reunion. His participation and contributions to the MHS Class of 1965 Website have been monumental and an example of a how a 'Boy from Wickett, Texas' revered and appreciated his Roots, Family and Friends.
Beginning with The Forum that led to a book....
Calling The Right Play For Life's Fourth Quarter
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the members of the Monahans High School Class of 1965, the more than 150 of us still living and the 35 who have gone on. They are a unique group of men and women who have contributed to the betterment of the world they inherited and because of their character and commitment to each other and to their families they will always be known as the greatest class to wear the green and white.
Ted's wit and sense of humor was shared on....
Ted Included Us on His and Charlotte's Travels with.....jpg)
AND
You May VIEW Ted's Website Contributions on HIS....
"I think of myself as very blessed to be a part of this great group of people who have over the years managed to make the times we spend together at our reunions and on our website some of the most memorable of our lives".
Teddy Joe Purcell
Calling The Right Play For Life's Fourth Quarter, pg.6.
Here's To You, Teddy Joe!
Rest In Heavenly Peace
Find A Grave Memorial...Link HERE
You are Invited to Share your Memories of Teddy Joe.
Click on Post Comment Box
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Larry Loftin
God's speed, Teddy! It was quite a ride and a real pleasure attending good ol" MHS with you! Larry
Lynn Money
All my childhood memories in Wickett include Teddy Joe. We had a lot in common, being the babies of large families, but he was a lot more independent than I was. I was a little jealous of his athletic ability. He always seemed to know what to do on the playing field or in the gym, and it seemed so natural to him. His friendship has meant a great deal to me over the years though our lives went in different directions. But there was always the common thread of the Christian faith that made our reunions easy and comfortable. Sherilyn and I send our love and prayers to Charlotte, Mollie and the whole family.
Mike Smith
Well I second what Lynn Money said about growing up with Teddy Joe in Wickett, of course he lived at what we referred to as Windmill Hill (Purcell Place) I can still remember his family especially his Dad and siblings.I to played a lot of sports with Ted as we started in Football in the Third Grade at Gensler. Seems like to me he was a fullback but I could be wrong about that. Through the years we stayed friends and as most friends do had our "ups and downs". The two most remarkable stories I can remember about Teddy Joe was him owning a Mustang Motorcycle growing up we use to ride and race together as I grew up mostly on motor scooters (Cushman Eagles) Boy that little Mustang could run but just don't get it on a wet surface cause "yu ain't staying right side up!" I saw that thing throw him more than once.Lol! But the most fun I ever had with Teddy is when he had this old 32 Deuce 3 window coupe out in his back yard and I wanted it to drop a flat head engine I had pulled out of a 51 Merc. I had. So he sold it to me for twenty dollars (I think).......come to find out it actually belonged to old man Sam Wolfe, was originially his supermodified stock car........well long story short, Sam came a calling wanting his 32 back, which I wouldn't give him without my money back, needless to say my brother and I tied on to it hauled it back to Teddy and let him deal with it........That was life with Teddy Joe....never a dull moment. I spoke to him after he fell ill and wished him well ........he will be missed. My condolences go out to his Wife and his loved ones. His Friend, Mike Smith
Janie White (Michalik)
To a great classmate and friend. May God blessings be with Charlotte and Mollie Jo.
Sue Pittman (McPeak-Hunt)
Teddy Joe Purcell Memorial
Albert Hewett 1962
I met Ted when he started to school in Wickett, Texas. Even though I was his senior in age, I learned how intelligent he was, even as a young boy. He lived at that time in a red brick house across the highway from the electric power company on Hyw 80. He always had a smile on his face and he loved being around people. I regret learning of his dying. Albert Hewett 6/13/2018
P.S. One year, because of his large size, he played Santa Clause in the Christmas play.