James Purcell Jr.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- James Theodore "Jim" Purcell Jr., 83, of Jefferson City passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at Capital Region Medical Center.

He was born June 28, 1930, in New Madrid, Mo., son of James Theodore and Lora Maye Jimerson Purcell Sr. He and Margaret Jane Reilly were married Sept. 12, 1953, at St. Mary Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.

Jim was a 1948 graduate of New Madrid High School, and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1952. He was a supervisor with the Missouri Division of Employment Security 38 years, retiring in 1992.

He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Bishop McAuliff Knights of Columbus Council, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Dan C. Coppin Council, past president and treasurer of Christopher Casey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and was a past board member and treasurer of ABLE Learning Center.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Larry (Mary) Purcell of Warrensburg, Mo.; two grandchildren, Nicholas Purcell and Mary Kathryn Purcell of Warrensburg; two brothers, Jay (Joanne) Purcell of Houston and Murray (Gail) Purcell of Mexico, Mo.

Funeral Mass was Friday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, with the Rev. Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. Burial was Saturday in St. John Catholic Cemetery at Leopold, Mo.

Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Jefferson City was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to ABLE Learning Center, 501 Madison St., Jefferson City, MO 65101; or St. Joseph Catholic School, 2303 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109.

Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at dulletrimble.com.