Phillip Purdy Jr.

Phillip Wayne Purdy, Jr., age 74, of Swartz Creek (Gaines Twp.), passed away suddenly on March 31, 2021. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek. Phil was a caring husband, friend, father, grandfather and brother and will be profoundly missed. Phil was born January 6, 1947 in Marlette, Mich., the son of the late Beth
(Morrish) Purdy and Phillip Wayne Purdy. Phil married Linda McCoy in Swartz Creek on September 9, 1967. He attended Durand High School and Michigan State University and served in the National Guard as a wheeled vehicle repairman. He worked as a city planner in Flint, and continued that career in Richmond, Virginia before returning to Michigan to build a home on the Purdy family farm. Upon moving back to Swartz Creek, he sold International trucks and school buses for C&S Motors in Flint. Phil enjoyed old tractors, steam trains, airplanes, books and nature - especially bird watching. He was a teller of silly jokes, great stories and bad puns. He was a talented artist and craftsman and had a part (or an idea) to fix anything that was broken. He loved his family, especially his beautiful granddaughters, his cats and dog, Lucy. He leaves countless friends and relatives to cherish his memory, including beloved family members and his wonderful companion, Dottie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda (2014). He is survived by his four brothers, Henry (Marj), Paul (Beth), Jeff (Sally) and Lee (Linda), his daughter and son-in-law Erin and Bill Cataldo, and his granddaughters Morgan and Maya. A Memorial Service, honoring the life of Phil Purdy, will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Stu Coutts Pavilion at McCurdy Park in Corunna. A time of sharing will take place after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phil’s name can be made to any of his favorite organizations, including Michigan Audubon Society, Howell Nature Center, Shiawassee County Humane Society, Flint Institute of Arts, Duffield United Methodist Church or the Durand Union Station. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com