Thomas Purcell

PURCELL, Thomas Henry, age 72, of Mundy Township, loving Father and Grandfather, died Sunday, January 3, 2021 from complications of Multiple Myeloma cancer "service-connected" to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.
Per Tom's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 11 AM Monday, December 13 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek (a live-stream of the service will be available at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com). Pastor Brad Foster officiant. Interment in Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd., Holly to follow the service at 1 PM. Visitation will take place 10 AM until the time of service.
Tom was born in Flint, MI on September 10, 1948, the son of Clair and Marjorie (nee Bedford) Purcell.  He attended St. Michael School in Flint and Junior and High School in Flushing, graduating in 1966.  Tom was voted "Most Fun" by his Senior High School classmates.  Tom was raised during his Middle and High School years by his eldest brother Jack and wife Beverly, along with their family. This was the greatest act of love, sacrifice, and selflessness on his behalf that he would ever know.
Tom received his undergraduate degree with high distinction from the University of Michigan - Flint in 1974.  In 1999, after commuting to night school for forty-four consecutive semesters, he received his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School at Lansing, MI.  He served in the U.S Army during 1968-70, including combat duty in Vietnam where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Meritorious Bronze Star Medal.  Tom owned and operated an evening office cleaning business for 15 years.  He went to work for the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in 1978 as a mail clerk and in 2002 accepted a state-sponsored early retirement while serving as Manager of Contracts and Special Projects.  Tom then opened a private law practice in the city of Flint.  He practiced law for nearly four years before becoming totally disabled in 2007.  Tom was a patriot and a warrior for his country.  He will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humor, wit, and kind heart.  Tom's memberships included The State Bar of Michigan, Swartz Creek VFW, life member of Disabled American Veterans and life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America.  Tom was a member of Toastmasters International for 10 years.  In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make a donation to the charity of their choice.
Surviving to cherish Tom's memory are his sons and their wives, Dr. Mark (Dr. Kelly) of Greenville,SC and Jeffery (Kelly) of Columbus, OH; grandsons, Lincoln Thomas and Weston Jeffery; granddaughters, Hannah Grace and Chloe Elizabeth; brothers, Jack (Beverly) of Paradise, MI, Donald (Jill) of Swartz Creek, MI, Dennis (Cathy) of Tucson, AZ; many nieces,nephews, cousins and an uncle.  Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Callahan; brother, Robert; his Bridge Over Troubled Waters, grandmother Mary Ann Bedford, and the mother of his children and best friend, Diane DeMoss Liggett.  Please sign our guestbook or share an online condolence with the family.