Bobby Joe Purcell of Dripping Springs, Texas passed in the comfort of his home on his ranch March 26, 2024, after spending the day surrounded by his family and caregivers in the presence of prayer and abundant love.

Bob was one of two children born to Ruby Annie Rice and James McClain Purcell. He began his life on February 9, 1930, in Louise, Texas. His family moved to Austin, Texas when Bob was 12 years old.

It was in Austin that Bob met his wife to be Joy Spillar. As she’d love to tell it, Bob was all tanned up and in a tight yellow bathing suit at a pool she wasn’t supposed to be at in East Austin. Joy and Bob married on Sept 22, 1950, loving each other like each day was the first, for just shy of 73 years. During the early years of their marriage, they were blessed with their four children: Teri, Tami, Todd, and Traci. After serving his country in combat during the Korean War, Bob returned to Austin and began work for the Department of Public Safety as a fingerprint expert. Bob quickly decided desk work was not for him and began working with the City of Austin as an electrical inspector. Growing restless with only one job, Bob also owned and operated a business named Haliburton and Purcell Air Conditioning, with his friend of many years Carl Haliburton. After 32 years of service, Bob retired from the City of Austin. However, he was not ready to settle into life sitting on the front porch. In 1988, he and his son founded Purcell Electric Inc. in Dripping Springs, TX. Bob always had a saying that has become the foundation of Purcell Electric, “Give the customer what they pay for and then some”. This is something the company strives for even today. In addition to his long working career, Bob and his wife Joy also successfully invested in real estate properties across the Texas Hill Country.

Even while running his own business and working multiple jobs, Bob always put his family and kids first. He was there to support and guide them in any endeavor they chose to pursue. The Purcell’s always seemed to have a house full of kids, not just their own 4 children, but their kids many friends as well. Adding to the Kaos were a large variety of different types of critters inside an outside of the home that were also all part of the family. To know Bob was to know his passion and unique connection with animals of all kinds.

Bob and Joy moved their kids to the family ranch in Dripping Springs in 1981. They planted deep roots in Dripping Springs, contributing generously to the community, school, and many nonprofit organizations in the Dripping Springs and Hays County area. They were founding members of the Founders Day Celebration and were heavily involved with the Optimist club of Austin, Brushy Creek Saddle Club, and Dripping Springs Lions Club to name a few. In addition to this, they proudly had 3 children and 4 grandchildren graduate from Dripping Springs High School.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Joy Spillar Purcell, his parents, Ruby Annie and James McClain Purcell, brother Donald James Purcell and sister-in-law Eula Mae Purcell, in-laws Adeline and Bill Renfro, Bob and Barbara Burke, Jerry Spillar, daughterin- law Connie Purcell, granddaughter Kayce Morgan Booth.

He is survived by his son, Todd Purcell, daughters, Teri Morgan, Tami Burklund and Traci Smith, sister-in-law Peggy Biros, son in-laws, Robert Morgan, Wayne Burklund and Doug Smith, and his grandchildren, Brad Morgan, Kristen and John Lamb, Courtney Burklund, Tyler Purcell, Grace and Justin Purcell, Bobby McIntyre, Kendra and Dean Fisher, Dooley Smith, Mary and Grant Booth, as well as his 10 great grandchildren.

Pall Bearers: Brad Morgan, Grant Booth, Justin Purcell, Tyler Purcell, Dooley Smith, Chuck Purcell, Dean Fisher, Bobby McIntyre.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Kendra Fisher, Grace Purcell, Kristen Lamb, Courtney Burklund, Kayce Morgan Booth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following: PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, Dripping Springs Campus https://pawsshelter.org/ Blue Bonnet Palliative Care - Hospice, Wimberley, TX. https://bluebonnetpc. com/ Visitation will be Friday April 12, 2024, at 9:30 AM with services to follow at 11:00 AM and a reception following the services. All will be at the Dripping Springs Methodist Church, 28900 Ranch Rd 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 The burial will be family/ private on April 13, 2024.