Douglas “Doug” Glenwood Purnell, 85, of Clear Brook, Virginia departed this life on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 after a brief hospitalization.
Mr. Purnell was born in 1931 in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the son of the late Ernest Purnell and Anna Dockney Kearns; and stepson of the late William Forrest Kearns. He graduated from Martinsburg High School, Class of 1949. Mr. Purnell was a veteran of the United States Army, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was deployed to South Korea during the Korean conflict where he worked in the Engineering Company as a heavy equipment operator; clearing land for access roads, bridges and airport landing strips throughout many regions of that country. Upon his return from the military Doug worked at the Martinsburg Veterans Administration Medical Center in the Engineering Department as Supervisor of Grounds and Transportation Maintenance, retiring after 31 years of service.
Mr. Purnell was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, Winchester, Virginia. He was a 32nd Degree Freemason in the Robert White Lodge #67 AF and AM Masonic Lodge of Martinsburg, WV; and a member of the Winchester Elks Lodge #867. Doug especially enjoyed membership in and fellowship at the local Chapter #313 of the Korean War Veterans Association.
Doug married LouAnne Cather on August 30, 1980 at First United Methodist Church.
Surviving with his wife of 37 years is stepdaughter, Kathryn Philibin; stepsons, Donald Philibin (Pamela) and Gary Philibin(Stacy); daughter-in-law, Linda Pennington (John); his much loved sister, Sylvia Purnell Barlat; sister-in-law, Barbara Purnell; many cherished grandchildren, great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents Doug was preceded in death by sister, Anita Purnell Cave and his best friend and brother, Richard “Dick” Purnell.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 10 am to 11 am on Tuesday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11 am with Pastor Will White officiating. A time of food and fellowship will follow the service at Omps Funeral Home Reception Center. Interment will be in Mount Hebron Cemetery at 2 pm Winchester, Virginia.
Memorial contributions in memory of Doug may be made to the Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313 Korean War Veterans Association, Box 3244, Winchester, Virginia 22604 or First United Methodist Church, 308 N. Braddock Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.