John Wayne Purvis

John Wayne Purvis, age 58 of Olympia, passed away on Saturday, July 15. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky on February 25, 1965 to the late Emmitt Purvis and Emma Cook Purvis. 

John worked as a mason  for most of his life. He was a hard worked and was very skilled at his job. John loved to go fishing, turtle hunting and swimming. He was an avid UK basketball fan and also enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. Papaw was always their biggest fan in whatever they chose to do. John loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and collected eagle figurines. He enjoyed watching Nascar. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was his favorite. Spending time with his family was very special to him. He loved every minute he could spend with family and his grandchildren. His children would often tease him about being stubborn and always being right. John had a big heart, was always there for many, and had a contagious laugh. He had a fun loving side to him that the grandchildren loved. Papaw spoiled them and loved to see them happy. He will be missed so much by those he leaves behind. May the family continue to tell the stories and talk about the good times to carry them through. He may be gone from this world but will forever be in the hearts of those that loved him. 

He is survived by his wife, Debbie Purvis; one son, John Wayne Purvis II and his wife, Tiffany; three daughters, Salena Purvis Ferguson and her husband, Rocky: Crystal Montjoy Day and her husband, Jesse: Leslie Montjoy; six siblings, Jenny Landrum, Pansy Peel, Bobby Purvis, Rosie Brasington, Darlene Holder, and Lisa Baker; sixteen grandchildren, Harlie, Kourtney and Robert Ferguson; Branson, Malleigh, J.P., Tallorie, Deegan, and Paydin Purvis; Brianna, Makenna and Jacob Day; Braeden Montjoy, Amiah and Avery Valenti; Deborah McCarty; several nieces, nephews and friends.  

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Tommy Purvis and Emmitt Purvis; two sisters, Peggy Smith and Gail Reece; one grandson, Dakota Carter. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Richardson Funeral Home with Reverend Jim Crouch officiating. Burial will follow in the Hedricks Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday,  July 19 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Richardson Funeral Home. 

Active pallbearers will be Terry Wills, J.R. Sammons, Bobby Purvis, Billy Holder, Braeden Montjoy, Kerry Pergrem, Jesse Day and Rocky Ferguson. 

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the funeral home to help with burial expenses.

Richardson Funeral Home is caring for all arrangements for John Wayne Purvis. 

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