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Clifford Purington Obituary

Clifford M. Purington, Jr.

Brentwood, TN

Clifford M. Purington, Jr., born in Portland, Maine on July 3, 1944, passed away at home on June 15, 2014 with family by his side.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Rebecca Long Purington; his son, Grant Purington and wife Nicole; six brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

Defying those who suggested a career in the trades, Cliff joined the United States Air Force at age 18, became a highly skilled air traffic controller, and worked his way up to the position of superintendent in one of the busiest radar approach controls in the country. He went on to complete his graduate degree and was trained in the Air Force as an organizational development consultant. He was assigned to Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama and traveled around the world providing combat readiness assessments and consultation to senior Air Force commanders. He lectured at the Air War College and authored many papers on leadership and management. After retiring from the United States Air Force, he focused his efforts on training and development in the aerospace, defense and natural chemical industries. His successful learning initiatives were chronicled in his book "Built to Learn".

Cliff was known to be a committed mentor and recognized as an accomplished leader. He will be remembered for his generosity, passion for living life and master storytelling. Cliff was an unstoppable force who got things done. Throughout his life, he never missed an opportunity to hunt, fish, hike, and spend time in nature.

Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of his life at the Purington home in Brentwood, TN on June 28th at 4 p.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850-5168.

Published by The Tennessean on Jun. 20, 2014.
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5 Entries

June 21, 2014

June 21, 2014

Devotion to life, family an humanity with respect for creation and creator is rewarded in eternal blessings. Cliff fought a good fight,lived a good life and now enjoys his eternal blessings. Bill

June 20, 2014

Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
~Pueblo Blessing

Leslie Anne Cook Sustaita

June 20, 2014

I am so blessed and thankful I had the opportunity to know Cliff, even if it was a short time. You both will always have a special place in my heart, and I have such fun memories. Not many people get the chance to have such true & trusted friends. My heart breaks for you Rebecca.

Cheryl Greenwood

June 19, 2014

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Funeral services provided by:

Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home - Brentwood

9010 Church Street East, Brentwood, TN 37027

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