James Robert Purdy

Jim, also affectionately known as Jim-Bob, was a happy-go-lucky good natured man who loved his family and friends, cookies, whistling, singing, and making fudge. He was a jokester who never took himself too seriously. Jim used to say "Everything you need to know about life you can learn from the Sunday funnies! " That is the first part of the paper he would read. Jim loved to kid around, and enjoyed a self trumpeted reputation as a "trouble maker, agitator and instigator." One of his favorite sayings throughout his life was "I don't never do nothin' I can't get away with!" He was always there when you needed him in the good times and bad.

This is a small piece of his story.

Jim was a proud Michigander, born on January 6, 1934 in Detroit.

He grew up the second son of three, born to Clifford J. and Effa Mead Purdy. He was a wonderful son and all around fun loving, good natured boy. He had a paper route and also babysat the neighborhood kids to help supplement his family's income. At a very young age it was apparent that Jim was extremely responsible and had a heart of gold. He was a very loving son and brother, and always family oriented.

Jim graduated from Detroit's Chadsey High School in 1952 with a certificate in Culinary Arts and a list of life- long friends. After High School, Jim served in the US Army and then went on to attend Michigan State University where he earned degrees in culinary arts and hotel management, with a specialty degree in cake decorating. In the process of all this, Jim married his first wife Phyllis and they moved to Westland Michigan where they raised their three children. He spent his career working for Wayne County General Hospital overseeing and supervising in the kitchen department there for 25 years. Jim was very active in the church community, donating his time and talent as the Lutheran Boy Pioneer Leader, and also blessing the choir with his beautiful tenor voice. He put his cake decorating skills to good use by furnishing many wedding and special occasion cakes over the years to the delight of friends and family members. Jim's life was busy and full and the years went by. After 25 years of marriage Jim and Phyllis divorced in 1982, and family life looked different for Jim, but he handled the change with understanding, love and perseverance.

Jim started a new chapter in his life when he married his second wife Eileen Carol Hiller in 1984. Together they moved back to Detroit,

and Jim retired from the county and became the custodian at his beloved Saint James Church. He and Eileen were active members of the Saint James choir, social committee and the seniors group. Jim spent his time doing all the things he loved with Eileen, including driving down to visit his children in North Carolina two, three or more times a year. Jim loved to drive to the Upper Peninsula in his beloved state of Michigan for an annual fall color tour, and enjoyed frequent visits to the Redford Theater in Detroit for movies and concerts. Jim spent almost 25 happy years of marriage with Eileen until she passed away in 2008. After that Jim filled his days with friends, bowling, church activities and stayed busy with frequent visits to see his children in North Carolina.

in 2014 Jim was lucky enough to find love a third time. He met his third wife and loving companion, Grace Jean Emmerson Langea through mutual friends. Grace is also a Chadsey alumni, having graduated in 1959. Jim was completely and totally smitten with Grace. They exchanged commitment vows at Trinity St. Mark's Church and celebrated their new found companionship with their families and many mutual friends. Jim moved to Graces home in Garden City and spent almost 6 happy years residing there with her. They attended church, bowling, seniors, and had many adventures traveling together, including a trip to Washington State. Jim and Grace made many beautiful memories together and remained devoted until Jim's passing.

James was preceded in death by his beloved parents, his two brothers,Clifford and William Purdy, his first wife Phyllis Edna MacKay and his second wife Eileen Carol Hiller Purdy

James is survived by his dear companion Grace Langea, his beloved children and their spouses, Colleen and Claude Dagher, Charles and Julie Purdy, Cathleen and Sam Hedgecock and also his cherished grandchildren Peter Claude Dagher, Hannah Lynn Purdy and Emma Joy Hedgecock.

Jim lived a long and full life rich with love. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He will be remembered by so many and deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers we invite that donations be made to Elliotte Manor Assisted Living Facility, Mint Hill N.C.