John Otto Purnell of Marshall, Texas died on January 31, 2019 at his home at 83 years old. Visitation will be Saturday February 2, 2019 at Downs Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m., the Funeral will be Sunday February 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will be at Pope City Cemetery

John was born on May 28, 1935 in Marshall, Texas to Albert and Era Purnell. Johnny Purnell graduated from Marshall High School in 1953 and received a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1962. He married Betty Sue Thompson in January of 1953. They lived in Marshall, Texas where he worked at Atlas Powder Company.  They moved to the Pope City Community and went into business with his brother-in-law running a dairy operation. Johnny and his brother-in-law bought the John Deere Dealership, Marshall Farm and Ranch. This was a family owned business for 42 years. He served with the 49th Armored Division for 9 years and served one year on active duty. Johnny served 47 years as Deacon and 18 years as a Men's Sunday School Teacher at Pope City Baptist Church. For the last 2 years he attended River Crossing Cowboy Church, until he became too ill to do so. Johnny was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, and Papa. He loved his two granddaughters with all of his heart and was proud of his two great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, Kash.

Johnny is survived by his wife Betty Sue Purnell of Marshall, Texas, and children Albert Purnell and wife Linda Purnell, and daughter-in-law Janet Purnell, and grandchildren Kim Jones, and Carolyn Purnell, and great-grandchildren Kaelie Hestand and husband Garrett Hestand, and Bryar Jones, and one great-great grandchild Kash Hestand. Johnny also has 3 other nephews and one niece.

Johnny is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Era Purnell, son John Morgan Purnell, sister and brother-in-law Ruby and Charles Root, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Bafton Harrison, brother and sister-in-law Gene and Bea Purnell, and four nephews and one niece