Jimmy Lee Purtell

Jimmy Lee Purtell, born January 24, 1946 in Lubbock, passed away July 21, 2019 in Houston. Jim had a big heart and was a brilliant and remarkable man of the highest integrity. In Jim’s early years he worked at EDS where he taught himself to be a programmer. Then, in the early ‘70s, Jim and his family moved to San Angelo, where he worked for GTE Data Services. He resided in San Angelo for fifteen years working for GTE and eventually moved to Florida, where he spent 15 more years at GTE before retiring. Jim didn’t really call it retiring, as he put it, he just played golf four days a week, fished three, and worked every other day after that. But his lawn was always immaculate and his neighbors called him ‘True Value’ for having the cleanest and most organized garage around.

In his 73 years of life, Jim accomplished a great deal and was a positive influence in the lives of many people. Jim will be missed dearly and remembered fondly by his kids and grandkids. Spending time celebrating milestones, holidays, and life was always a priority. Jim is survived by his three children and their loving spouses, LeeAnn and Keith Morwood, Grant and Susan Purtell, and Shawn and Bill Hernandez. ‘Pops’ was also blessed with seven amazing grandkids, Mackayla, Samantha and Alexanna Morwood, Austin and Justin Hernandez, and Leah and Ema Purtell. The grandkids are all grateful to have had Pops in their lives. He never failed to remind us how proud we made him and how much he loved us. We will strive to make him proud every day in all that we do. We miss him dearly but will cherish all the wonderful memories we made with him. His good friends John Walmsley and Mike Cook will miss his fun and competitive spirit on the golf course and amazing friendship of many years, although they’ll probably always say he was getting too many strokes. And he is smiling now, knowing he did. A memorial service will be held in Florida at a later date.