James "Jim" R. Purcell, Jr.

James R Purcell Jr. 12/11/1962 – 4/15/2025

"How lucky are we to have had someone that makes saying goodbye so hard”

James R Purcell Jr “Jim” was born on December 11th, 1962, in Albuquerque New Mexico to James Sr and Doria. He grew up with 4 Siblings: Bob, John, Rick and Caroline (RIP). When Jim was 16 years old the family relocated to Clearwater Florida. Jim graduated from Clearwater High School in 1980 and found his calling joining the United States Army as an Infantryman assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Screaming Eagles. He had one deployment to the Middle East to the Sinai Peninsula where he learned of his love for Scuba Diving.

Jim served his term and returned to Civilian life back in Florida. After exploring the work world trying different jobs and a little soul searching, he finally began his lifelong career as a journeyman plumber. In addition to construction projects in the Tampa Bay area and being the adventurous man he was, he pursued more than that and did work in the Cayman Islands and Russia.

Jim returned from Russia in 1995 and met Mary Lou Holmes and they married in 1998. They spent most of their time together and built memories in New Smyrna Beach which always was one of Jim’s favorite places. He remained an active member of the Masonic Lodge there. Jim lost Mary Lou in 2007 after a battle with cancer. He found solace in bike riding. Always an avid rider, riding became a passion, and he rode his bike with groups and solo, at one point turning north from Tampa and ending up in Tennessee with nothing but a saddle bag on his bike.

When Jim came home this prompted him to make a move from North Tampa to the South Tampa area where he continued his career in Plumbing and HVAC overseeing many projects, primarily in construction of Hospitals and Medical Facilities.

In 2012 Jim met Jill King at a local hang out that served an amazing Sunday brunch. Jill grew up in South Tampa and it was fate they were there the same day, along with many friends and family.

This was the start of an amazing relationship as they found out their interests were more than similar, it was karma. They loved the beach, boating, fishing, camping, travel, socializing, cooking, grilling out, The Florida Gators, dining, dancing, a love for animals, friendships and football. Jim was an avid die-hard Green Bay Packers Fan, stemming from family ties to that area. Ask anyone, and they know this fact about him.

Jim and Jill (as they were known as everywhere) married in 2018 and continued to build a future together to include Jill’s daughter Merrin and an eclectic group of pets in a small home in South Tampa. They continued to share the same interests and love of life and eventually buying a boat to enjoy fishing the waters of Tampa Bay, launching from the American Legion Post 138, another of their passions. Jim was an active member of Post 138 and Jill an active member of the Auxiliary there and it was their primary philanthropy.

Jim and Jill were always on the go. Together they built new traditions and started heading up to the Mountains of North Carolina which became trips they took multiple times over the years and became an important part of their lives, joining friends and family and creating many more treasured memories. Train trips were another regular adventure they loved to take with the closest of friends. Bass fishing out in Odessa thanks to family sharing their cabin. The list goes on.

Celebration of Life will be at American Legion Post 138 in Tampa, Florida on May 31st from 12pm to 2:30pm.  Casual attire please.

Jim adored his family, as they did him.

Brother Jim to

Bob (Mary)

John (Dorothy)

Rick

Caroline (RIP)

Uncle Jim to

Justin (Jessica) children Josephine and Jameson

Jenn (Robbie) children Cody, Trent and Analise

Becky and daughter Nevaeh

Amy (David) children Anabel and David Henry

Andy King daughter Violet

Step Dad to

Mary Lou’s daughter Jacqueline (Aaron) children Ford, Taylor and Mack

Jill’s daughter Merrin

Brother in Law to

Kent (Lyn)

Jack (Melissa) children Ian and Stephanie

Laura (Chuck) son Teddy

Larry (RIP) children Natalie and Kyle

Patti (RIP) child Eric