Edgar Lester Purcell

Edgar Lester Purcell, who everyone knew as Les, passed away on December 3, 2024, at his apartment at the Woodlands in Ocean Pines. He died of natural causes at the age of 90, and was healthy and sound all the way up until his 90th birthday. All things considered, he was a lucky son of a gun.
Les was born in Baltimore and attended both Loyola High School and Loyola College. He had a rich friend group and was well known for his exploits on the golf course. After a stint in the Army National Guard, he worked as a salesman for one firm or another. But eventually he settled in to a career in the Army Corps of Engineers, primarily working on land purchase and management.
By that time, Les was married to Mary Carol Karcher - the prettiest girl in town! - and had started a family. After celebrating the birth of his first son, Bill, he endured the great tragedy of losing his second child, Kyle Ann, at a young age. Later, however, another daughter came along, named Kylelane, who of course turned out to be his best and brightest child.
Les ended up divorcing Carol and for a time enjoyed a second marriage to Deborah Nohe. But in the late 1990s, he decided he was ready to live the life he always dreamed of - a joyful life at the beach that felt like a holiday every day. So he retired from his job as a real estate contractor for the NSA, got divorced a second time, and set up shop at 55 Tail of the Fox Drive in Ocean Pines.
Les called the Eastern Shore God's Country, and he cherished every day of the 25 years he got to spend there. He had his dream job of working at the Bay Club and playing at all the local courses with his golf pro friends. He got to scratch that politics itch by spending time on the Ocean Pines Board. He traveled to visit family in Maryland and Louisiana, smoking cigars out the window the whole way. He attended concerts around town and at the Club, and he built another rich friend group right at the bar. Having many loving friends was one of Les' most impressive legacies. It made every day a treat, and gave him great comfort as well during times of loss, such as when he lost both his brothers, and lost his son to cancer.
Les is survived by his daughter Kylelane, who is happy to write this celebration of his life. He also graced the world with four grandchildren - KJ, Hunter, Mason, and Louisa - who are carrying on his legacy in the best possible ways.
Les' Memorial will be held at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club on Saturday, December 28 at 1pm. The Club is located at 1 Mumfords Lndg Rd, Ocean Pines, MD 21811.