Ronald (Ron) Purdy

Ronald Hughes Purdy, age 76 of Calhoun, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at his residence. Ron was born on April 8, 1938 in Abbington, PA to James H. and Florine Summerfield Purdy. He was raised in Yardley, PA with three brothers, Jimmy, Bob and Barry and one sister, Lynn. He graduated from Pennsbury High School. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lettered in wrestling. He served in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of E5 as a head financial officer at Fort Stewart. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Georgia Southern. Ron coached football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, tennis, diving and swimming. He was a charter member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church where he held the office of treasurer and as a member of the vestry. He loved playing golf, swimming, sun bathing, coin collecting, math, watching UNC sports, spending time with his granddaughters, singing and dancing. Ron was a teacher for 32 years in Georgia and South Carolina. He was a honor recipient of the Golden Apple Teacher of the Month Award, a member of the Professional Associating of Georgia’s Education, Attendant of 15 Georgia Mathematics Conferences, head swimming coach of Calhoun Swimming Barracudas and Post Road Pool Swim Team, athletic director in Villa Rica and Calhoun, head coach for football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, tennis and swimming. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Wall Purdy of Calhoun; two sons, Hunt Purdy and his wife Tracy and Roger W. Purdy and his wife Karen; daughter, Louise Purdy; two granddaughters, Kirtland Purdy and Georgia Pardon; brother, James H. Purdy III; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Memorial Services will be held from the Calhoun First United Methodist Church (205 East Line St.) on Saturday, April 11th at 5:00 PM with Father Louis Tonsmeire officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers contributions to the Ron Purdy Memorial Scholarship can be made to the Calhoun Education Foundation c/o Calhoun City Schools, 380 Barrett Road, Calhoun, GA 30701. You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Ronald Hughes Purdy. Note: The family has expressed their deep appreciation to all family and friends through this very difficult time. Ron was an educator whose life evolved around his students. For that reason, his family has requested that in lieu of flowers contributions to the Ron Purdy Memorial Scholarship can be made to the Calhoun Education Foundation c/o Calhoun City Schools, 380 Barrett Road, Calhoun, GA 30701.