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John Robert Purdy, Jr. Obituary

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John Robert Purdy, Jr.

Newport, AR

June 7, 1940 - September 26, 2016

John Robert Purdy, Jr. Obituary

Mr. John Robert Purdy, Jr. of Newport departed this life on Monday, September 26, 2016, in Jonesboro, at the age of 76. He was born June 7, 1940, in Jonesboro, the son of John Robert “Bill” Purdy, Sr. and Effie E. Elrod Purdy. John grew up on Walnut Street in Newport and became an Eagle Scout under the direction of Scoutmaster Ray O. Fann. He was a 1958 graduate of Newport High School. Following high school, John attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the Fabulous XI of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Mr. John Purdy married Miss Rosanna Massey on June 5, 1964, together they made their home in Newport, raised their children, worked side by side, and treasured their many dear friends and community. In 1961, John joined his parents at Purdy’s Flower Shop, which was established by his mother in 1931. For the next fifty-one years, John, with the help of his wife Rosanna, moved Purdy’s from its original location on Walnut Street to the Village Mall and finally to its current location at 815 Malcolm Avenue. They expanded from the original flower business to include a large selection of gifts. In 2012, John and Rosanna sold Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts. It remains the oldest single family-owned business in Jackson County. The Purdy family served the families of Jackson County for 81 years. Over the years, John was active in both professional associations and community service. He was a member and past president of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Florist Association and also served as Chairman of Advertising and Communication for the Arkansas Florist Association. John was a member of Rotary International for over fifty years. He was a past president of Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow. John also served as a member of the Rotary Regional Selection Committee for Group Study Exchange in Northeast Arkansas. He donated countless hours over the last seven years as President of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Association. John was a member of the First Methodist Church in Newport, the Methodist Men, and a leader of Methodist Youth Fellowship. John loved the water. The summers when his children were young, he would load them up and off the three of them would go to the lake to enjoy their time in the yellow ski boat. John would drive the boat, Hanna and Rob would ski all day long until they were exhausted and home they would come. He also was an avid fisherman and especially enjoyed many annual fishing trips with lifelong friends, which years ago they named The John Purdy Memorial Fishing Trip. John Purdy will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his commitment to excellence in all of his endeavors, and most importantly, as a true friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers-in-law, George Conrad Frazier and Charles M. “Chuck” Berger. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Rosanna Massey Purdy of the home; one son, John Robert “Rob” Purdy, III of Gathersburg, Maryland; one daughter, Sushanna “Hanna” Purdy Dickinson and husband, Tod, of Newport; one granddaughter, Jo Ellen “Joie” Dickinson of Newport; one sister, Mrs. C.M. (Jane) Purdy Berger of Naples, Florida; one sister-in-law, Mary Jane Frazier of Jonesboro; one brother-in-law, Ernest Massey and wife, Rhonda, of Austin, Texas. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews, Cary John Aaron Berger and wife, Lauren Zuckerman, Jane Ellen Frazier Newman and husband, Greg, Georganne Frazier Comish and husband, Ian, Elizabeth Berger and husband, Charlie Nelson, and Valerie Berger Fred and husband, Dan, Michael Massey and wife, Misty, and David Massey; great nieces and nephews, Hazel Qian Chao Berger, Eleanor Hua Ying Berger, George Edward Newman, Cooper Nelson, Rowan Nelson, Naomi Nelson, Caleb Fred, and Cameron Fred. John will also be missed by his friend and constant companion, Nate. Friends may visit at the funeral home, Thursday, September 29, 2016, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 30, 2016, at the First Methodist Church in Newport with interment to follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Newport. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Bruce Burton, David Hodges, Franklin Keel, Phil McDonald, Toby McDonald, and Jim McLarty. Honorary pallbearers are Elvis Clark, John Connor, Jr., Joey DuPree, Jerry Saracini, Tim Watson, and Jimmy Wilmans, Jr. Memorials may be made to Walnut Grove Cemetery Association, c/o Carol Brand, 7 Virginia Road, Newport, AR 72112. To sign the online guest register, leave a message of condolence, or light a memorial candle, please visit our website at www.jacksonsfh.com. Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.

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