Eldred Leon Purcell Jr.

Eldred Leon Purcell Jr., age 70, of Jefferson City, passed away on March 13, 2026. Born on August 11, 1955, in Georgia, Leon was a U.S. Army veteran who carried a deep love for his family throughout his life. He cherished his longtime support of the Atlanta Braves and found joy in traveling the open roads.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eldred Leon Purcell Sr.

Leon is survived by his wife and best friend of more than four decades, Pat Purcell, whom he married in 1982; his mother, Ruby Smith; his sisters, Annette Curtis, Jane Phillips, and Michelle Norton; his brother, James Daryl Crawford; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind family members Mary Ann Bartley, Anita Vance, Amanda Hillman, Emily Vance, Andrew Bartley, Anna Vance, Alexis Knight, Tyler Hillman, Dak Bartley, Benny Drew, Eugene and Ricky Sharp, and Betty Spencer, as well as his beloved dog, Sammy. He was deeply loved by all his family and friends.