Christopher, age 25, was a scholar-athlete whose passion for sports and travel took him all over the country and world. In school he was a class president, student of the year and an honors student. He attended a leadership program at Stanford University and played in the Cal-Florida Bowl. Chris graduated from Clovis West as the All-County Defensive Player of the Year and was an All State linebacker. He attended University of California, Berkeley on scholarship and played football for Cal, earning bowl rings at the Las Vegas and Pacific Life Bowls and a 2006 Pac 10 Championship ring. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at Cal. He traveled to Europe four times and lived in downtown Boston, Santa Barbara, Denver and San Diego. Chris was a huge Red Sox fan and worked at Fenway Park. Chris will be remembered as a leader, a fierce competitor with a relentless drive to achieve. He was loved by many and inspired all those around him. Chris has been and always will be a source of pride for those who knew him well. We pray for peace for our dear Christopher, that he will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. He is survived by parents, Harvey and Leslie Purtz; his brother Eric; grandfather, Ed Purtz of Lynnfield, Ma.; aunt, Laurie McNeilly of Visalia; uncle, Larry Lucken of Seattle; and many relatives in Boston.
Published in the Fresno Bee on June 13, 2010
