Richard Hurt Puryear

Richard Hurt Puryear Richard Hurt Puryear of Stanardsville, Virginia, died on Friday, February 15, 2013, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. Rich was born August 16, 1957, in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Doris Puryear and the late Samuel E. Puryear of Raleigh, North Carolina. Rich was a wonderful husband and father, taking great joy and pride in his wife, Ronda, and his precious girls, Angie and Kate. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Rich was an excellent athlete and student. He excelled in school and sports. He went to Virginia Tech where he received a B.S. in Marketing Management from the Pamplin College of Business. After graduation, Rich worked with his father Sam at the family car dealership in Danville, Virginia. Upon moving to Greene County in 1988, he began working in the home building industry. Rich founded Commonwealth Homes of Virginia in 1990. He was a master builder and craftsman, taking great pride in his work and his company. Rich immersed himself in the community becoming a deacon at Spring Hill Baptist Church, a volunteer firefighter for the Stanardsville Volunteer Fire Department, and an excellent golfer at the Greene Hills Club. His calm yet tenacious demeanor made him a successful basketball coach for young girls and boys on a variety of different teams, from youth league to varsity sports. Those who knew him were fortunate enough to share in his love of cooking and his love of music and guitar playing. His gracious spirit and compassion were truly inspirational to all who knew him. Rich is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ronda Lamm Puryear; his daughters, Angie Puryear Bartles and husband, Brett, and Catherine Elizabeth Puryear and boyfriend, Stephen Colvin. He is also survived by his mother, Doris Puryear of Raleigh, North Carolina; his two sisters, Kelly Downing and husband, Rob, of Durham, North Carolina, and Beth Ohmann, of Raleigh, North Carolina; a brother-in-law and best friend, Len Lamm of Ruckersville; and nieces and nephews, Josh, Neil, and Max Lamm, Drew Ohmann, Laura, Sam, and Emma Downing. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 18, 2013, at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Ruckersville, Virginia, with the Reverend Brandon Ives officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. His family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at Spring Hill Baptist Church. The family expresses their sincere thanks to the University of Virginia Medical Center, the staff of 8 West and the MICU, and Dr. Mike Douvas. The family would also like to thank our friends and family who prayed so faithfully and have lifted us up throughout this battle. Words cannot express what this outpouring of love and support means to us. An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com. Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville is handling the arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.