Claude Purvis Jr.

He is survived by his three children, Gordon Purvis (Lori Pierce), Sarah Purvis, and Jonathan Purvis (Arleta Taylor), three grandchildren, Atticus Purvis, Isabelle Kennedy, and Emma Kennedy, and his sister, Hazel Chapman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude, Sr and Agnes Purvis, his siblings Francis Powell and Jimmy Purvis, and his grandson Sawyer Purvis.

Claude was born and raised in Oldham County. He was a lifetime member of the Harrods Creek Baptist Church, and attended Oldham County High School, graduating in 1957.

He graduated from Campbellsville College in 1961 and became a teacher at Western High School in Louisville. He spent his entire working career as an educator and administrator in the Jefferson County Public School system, becoming an Assistant Principal and in 1973 Principal at Pleasure Ridge Park High School. He was proud to be very active in the Jefferson County Education Association, serving as president in 1966 and was part of a small group of educators who were instrumental in creating the Jefferson County Teachers Association, serving as co-president at its inception which led to the first collective bargaining agreement for teachers in Jefferson County in 1969. He worked for the Jefferson County Public Schools until his retirement in 1994 and as a consultant for some years after.

After his retirement back to Oldham County, he enjoyed keeping a small number of beef cattle, going to auctions, pontificating on the general state of politics in the country and giving sage advice on any topic asked of him.

Donations in Claude’s memory may be made to the Harrods Creek Baptist Church in Brownsboro, KY and the Crusade for Children.

A visitation will be held at the Heady – Radcliffe Funeral Home in LaGrange, KY on September 28, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at the chapel of the Harrods Creek Baptist Church in Brownsboro, KY on September 29, 2023 at 11:00 am, with visitation prior at 10:00 am.