Leonard Gerald Purcell

On September 19, 2014 Lt Colonel Leonard Gerald "Jerry" Purcell of Ft Collins Colorado left this world. He was 85 years old and passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Jerry was born in Denver Colorado on December 16, 1928 to Helen and Leonard T Purcell. He is survived by his wife Betty; his children, Deborah, Chuck and Mike; five grandchildren, two great granddaughters and by the mother of his children, Naomi Huber Grandy and his brother, Darrell Purcell. Jerry Purcell graduated from CSU in 1950 with a degree in Economics and was a member of the ROTC. He joined the Air Force in 1950. In 1953 Jerry flew in 51 missions in the Korean War in the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron as a navigator for the Air Force where he was awarded a medal of commendation for meritorious conduct. Jerry held numerous stations stateside and as a missileer at Hahn Airbase in Germany before retiring from a twenty year Air Force career as a decorated Lt Colonel in 1970. After retirement from the USAF, Colonel Purcell taught ROTC, was a member of Sons of the American Legion and was an adamant supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project and many other charitable organizations. On September 11, 2011 Jerry had the privilege of participating in a Veterans trip to Washington, DC thanks to the Honor Flight Program of Northern Colorado. His lifelong affiliation with the Freemasons was at the forefront of Jerry's life and he held multiple titles among his brotherhood. Jerry received Masonic Degrees in Eaton Lodge #109 A.F. & A.M., Eaton, Colorado Initiated: May 4, 1957 Passed: May 14, 1957 Raised: May 28, 1957 Affiliated with Fidelity Lodge #192, Ft Collins, CO: October 10, 1991 Affiliated with Estes Park Lodge #183, and Estes Park CO: March 19, 2001 Past Master of Hunsruck Lodge #826, Germany in 1960 while stationed at Hahn AFB Past Master of Eaton Lodge #109 in 1987 Past Master of Fidelity Lodge #192 in 1996 Member of following appendant and concordant Masonic Organizations: Larimer County York Rites Bodies –The Royal Arch and Cryptic Masons Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 26 – Past Worthy Patron, 2000-2001 National Sojourners, Heroes of 76 DeMolay International, Chevalier Degree – as a youth. Past Commander of the DeMolay Commandery #13 of the Knights Templar Jerry enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, travel and John Deere Tractors. His kindness, generosity and spirit earned him many loyal friends. He was a respected father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be sorely missed by the family that he loved so well. "Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!" His services will be held at the Masonic Temple in Ft Collins: 225 W Oak St, Fort Collins, CO 80521 on October 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations can be made to Front Range Hospice, 3770 Puritan Way, Suite E, Frederick, CO 80516.