MsGt. Ralph Purry Marine Corps, Ret.

1956 - 2023

MSgt. Ralph Purry (Marine Corps ret.)

July 2, 1956 - January 29, 2023

Ralph Purry passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, February 4, at First United Methodist Church in College Station. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Interment at Houston National Cemetery. Services are in the care of Jones & Washington Mortuary, Bryan, Texas.

Ralph was born July 2, 1956, to the late Lawrence and Ella Eugenia Eady Purry in Pickens, SC. Ralph graduated from Pickens High School where he was a tenacious football player. His dedication to and appreciation for teamwork propelled him into his next phase, the U.S. military.

Ralph joined the United States Marine Corps in 1974 and quicky progressed through the ranks. Ralph's service included serval tours of duty in locations in the U.S. including the White House, and overseas in Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Taiwan. After 20 years of honorable service, Ralph retired at his last duty station with the USMC Officer Selection Station servicing area universities including Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University.

Ralph's last military assignment landed him in the Bryan/College Station community. With the sunset of one fruitful career, he took up new interests such as photography. As fate would have it, he met his best interest to date, a forever love, Karen. Ralph and Dr. Karen Butler-Purry wed in 2000 and shared many wonderful memories at Jazz and Blues concerts and travel around the country. Also, Ralph shared a special bond with Karen's father, "Mr. Butler" before his passing in 2003.

The year 2006 brought about his greatest accomplishment to date, his "little Munchkin", Eva Madison Purry. Ralph was a devoted husband and father and retirement allowed Ralph to create unlimited memories, that most could only hope for. Some of Ralph's and Eva's most cherished moments include hanging out in Central Park with Ralph taking photos of Eva, going to Blue Baker after school on Fridays, and the infamous driving lessons well before Eva was driver's permit ready. Amid the moments, Ralph returned to school. He completed his associate degree from Blinn College and then his bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University in May 2011, at the tender age of 55.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Ella Eugenia Eady Purry; father-in-law, Percy E. Butler Sr.; and sister, Claudette Purry.

Ralph leaves a legacy of love and is survived by his cherished wife, Karen; daughter, Eva Madison; mother-in-law, Eva D. Butler of Plaquemine, LA; two sisters, Reverend Veronica (Deacon Ozell) Hatton and Tandy (Minister Everon Bannister), both of Easley, SC; five brothers, Steve (Helen) Purry of Liberty, SC, Ricky Purry of Easley, SC, Lester (Toni) Purry of Los Angeles, CA, Eugene Purry of Chicago, IL, Gregory Butler (Juanita) of Dacusville, SC; brothers-in-law, Salaris Butler Sr. and Percy E. (Caula) Butler Jr.; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Thomas, all of Plaquemine, LA; maternal aunt, Mae D. Rhone, 95 years young of Hartford, Conn.; special nieces Erica (Sandy) Henry of Concord, NC, Allegra Butler of Gonzales, LA, and Pershauna Butler of Denham Springs, LA; a special nephew that he helped raise, Salaris Butler Jr. of Plaquemine, LA; godson, Jordan Stephens of Cypress, Texas; and a host of loved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mario A. Lammoglia for his decades of cardiology care for Ralph and the nurses and doctors at the St. Joseph Health College Station Hospital I.C.U. for the care they provided Ralph.