Thomas Purkins, 88, of Prince William County passed away on July 25, 2014 in Hospice Care.

Mr. Purkins was born March 24, 1926 at Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington, DC, the son of the late Gerald Monds & Kathryn Grigsby Purkins of King George County, VA. He grew up at Bolling Field, Washington, DC & later in King George, VA. He was educated at the Devitt Preparatory School, the Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia, & the University of Nuevo Leon School of Medicine.

Mr. Purkins served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Sergeant & Infantry Squad Leader in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. After the war in Europe ended he served as an Honor Guard to Generals’ Patton & Eisenhower.

Mr. Purkins has a long career in medical sales and after retirement spent much of his time doing genealogy research and staying active in his Regimental Association.

He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution & the Sons of Confederate Veterans and helped countless others research their lineage.

Mr. Purkins was recently predeceased by his brother Gerald R. Purkins. He is survived by his wife Jeanne Roeder Purkins of Woodbridge, his son, Thomas Purkins of Providence Forge, his cousin John Grigsby of Arlington, his cousin Betty Ann Grigsby Wilson of Annandale. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, July 31, 12 noon at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1902 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the: OWL VFD, 910 Highams Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22191

(courtesy of Ross A Peot)

Grave marker for Edwin T. Purkins in Oak Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg City), Virginia.  Note the unfortunate typographic error of 508 DIR.

Edwin enlisted in the Army at Fort George G, Meade, MD on 26 June 1944.