Jeffrey Purtee

GREENVILLE, NC - Mr. Jeffrey Charles "Jeff Charles" Purtee, 70, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 10, 2023, while traveling with the East Carolina University Basketball team in New Orleans.

A memorial service for immediate family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 4 PM in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. East Carolina University Athletics will honor and celebrate Jeff at a public event with place and time to be determined.

A native of Piqua, Ohio, Jeff was born to Charles and Jean Hoover Purtee. He was a graduate of Goshen College. After calling games at the University of Illinois, Furman University and Virginia Tech, Jeff was recruited to join the East Carolina University family in 1988 and remained for 35 years.

As Jeff Charles "Voice of the Pirates", he called just over 1000 Basketball games as well as almost 35 years of Pirate Football. Jeff is well known for coining the phrase, "YOU CAN PAINT THIS ONE PURPLE". He had a passion for sports though his favorites were baseball and wrestling.

In addition to his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by his daughter, Heather Anne Purtee in 1992.

He is survived by wife of 51 years, Debby Purtee; son, Britt Purtee and wife, Chrissy, of Manteo; brothers, Dan Purtee of Siesta Key, FL and Doug Purtee of Raleigh; Niece, Caitlyn Purtee and niece, Caitlyn Purtee and Sarah Purtee; nephew, Travis Purtee, all of Raleigh.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 3 to 4 PM prior to the service.

At the request of family, no flowers are preferred, and memorial contributions may be made to: ECU Foundation, Inc., Heather Anne Purtee Memorial Scholarship Fund, ECU University Advancement, 2200 South Charles Blvd, Mail Stop 301, Greenville, NC 27858-4353. Online gifts can be made at give.ecu.edu/purtee.

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