David Blair Purcell
June 6, 1947 ~ April 21, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
David Blair Purcell, 61, of Malvern Hills, Asheville, died Tuesday April 21, 2009, following a long illness.
Mr. Purcell graduated from Savannah High School in 1965, where he was a member of the Firehouse Five. He then graduated from Georgia Tech in 1970 with a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering. He worked at the Newport News Ship Yard as a Design and Test Engineer before returning to Asheville in 1973, working at American Enka as a Corporate Engineer.
Mr. Purcell founded and was president of Quality Environments. He was a member of the American Society of Energy Engineers, Acoustical Society of America, past-president of the Malvern Hills Community Club, and member and past superintendent of the Land of Sky Model Railroad Club.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Garnett Purcell.
His survivors are his wife and best friend of 32 years, Linda Baird Purcell; their cat Charcoal; his father, David Purcell and wife Dorothy; brother Kevin Purcell and Rick Johnson; step brother and step sister, several aunts and cousins, including Vera Gebhardt, and special friends, Sue and Steve Jonas.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. James A. Nichols and Ms. Vera Gebhardt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Model Railroad Association, 4121 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421, or to Manna Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
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Dave was a fellow engineer and a fellow model railroader, making him a kindred spirit. He and Linda invariable had a friendly greeting whenever I saw them. He will be greatly missed.
Linda,
I am deeply sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
We’ll all miss him.
Linda, Mr. P. & Dot, Kevin & Rick,
I am sorry to hear about David. He was a special person to each of us in his own way. We share many fond memories together.
We all know David will be our Guardian Angel and he will be watching over us. He is with his maker and his mother now and I’m sure he has made his peace.
Now we can all climb aboard the train of life with David as our lead conductor. He will carry us through life’s tribulations.
Linda,
The loss of David is cause of much sadness to both of us. He was a good friend and supporter. We will miss him very much. Know our prayers are with you now and forever. Anytime you need us. you know where to find us.
love,
Steve and Sue
I remember the Purcell Family from my childhood days in Savannah. We attended Wildwood UMC together. David was the age of my brother Mike and Kevin and I were the same age. We lost Mike in January to a massive stroke, my Mother in 2005 and my Dad (Jim) is still on the property, he is 88. My sincere sympathy to the family.
Linda,
I am so sorry to hear that we have lost David. He was a wonderful person and a delightful library patron! David was a knowledgeable,
interesting and caring person, and shared so much so generously. His sense of humor was unique! I will miss him. You are in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Karen Loughmiller
West Asheville Branch Library
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Very sorry to hear of your loss. May God be with you at this time.
Linda and Family,
I’m sorry for your loss. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Cindy
Linda,
My deepest condolences. May God be with you at your time of sorrow.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Linda,
I’m so very sorry. David was a very special person and I’m glad I knew him. I really enjoyed his great sense of humor. Calling you for Census was always fun when he answered the phone! You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Linda, We just found out today about David. We have enjoyed being your neighbor for these past years and all the work you both contributed to our neighborhood is appreciated. If we can do anything for you please let us know You have our sympathy and prayers. Gilmer and Chris Boyd 177 School Rd
Dear Linda,
I am so very sorry to hear about David’s passing. He was a fellow model railroader and a kindred spirit for me. I always looked forward to seeing you and him at train shows and model railroad club meetings. He was always friendly to me and I especially enjoyed showing my 4-by-8 foot layout to him when he and other club members stopped by my house in Black Mountain for a visit. He was always encouraging and helpful with me.
Mike Conley
dear linda we have lost a dear freind.i will miss him very much. your freind exum.
Linda,
My deepest sympathy. David was one of the good guys and he will be missed.
I knew him in high school and at Armstrong. He was a good friend.
Tina Brooks
Linda, though I never met your husband, I do know the pain of losing a spouse and watching their health decline is heartbreaking. Only time will lighten your heart again. May you have the strength to persevere and one day be happy again.
Dear Linda
I am so sorry to pick up the paper and read about David. I was just talking to the former owner of my work place yesterday. He is interested in building a railroad layout and we were going to get in touch with David. I really enjoyed David comming by to visit to talk railroading, family and cats. Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep in touch.
Linda,
We are so sorry to hear about David. We’ve lost a good friend and our neighborhood has lost a great member and advocate. Take care of yourself.
You are in our thoughts and hearts, Linda. We will miss David’s quick wit, his intellect and the hilarious but corny jokes he’d share while out for a walk in the neighborhood.
Linda:
I am so sad to hear about David.
Linda,
David will never be forgotten because of the marks he left behind. I am sorry for your loss and would love the opportunity to help in any way possible. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda,
I was very sorry to hear about David. I had hoped to see him at Easley SC at the show there. I actually did have the Seaboard hoppers with me that he wanted.
I will miss his gentle spirit and strong wit. I always looked for him at the Asheville shows and appreciated his kindness.
I pray that God will comfort you during this time and grant you His Peace which only He can give.
Phil Bostian
Charlotte, NC
Dear Linda, David was a very close friend from 1973 to 1982 when I had a job transfer to NY State. I will always miss him. David was one of a kind. David’s sense of humor and kindness will never be forgotten. He was 6 years younger than me. We had super great times which I will never forget. I sincerely miss him. I know that you miss him dearly. I know these condolences are late, but I did not know about the Guestbook. I hope that are well. May God Bless You Always.