John Barry Purcell Jr.

1942 - 2026

John Barry Purcell, Jr.

May 8, 1942 - Feb 23, 2026

John Barry Purcell, Jr., of Richmond, Va., passed away peacefully on February 23rd, 2026. He was 83.

Born on May 8, 1942, at Stuart Circle Hospital in Richmond, John was the son of John Barry Purcell and Nancy Cann Purcell. A lifelong Richmonder, he devoted his life to service-first to his country, then to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and always to his community and family. Family was at the center of his life and heart. He found the greatest joy cheering on his grandchildren at sporting events and watching them grow up at the family beach cottage. He enjoyed cultural adventures and international travel with his brother, Lawrence. Outside of family, his bridge partners and church community provided meaningful companionship. John never yielded the love he held for his wife, Elizabeth Ford Purcell, with which he started and raised a family together.

John graduated from St. Christopher's School in 1960, went on to earn his BA from the University of Virginia in 1964 and later returned to the University of Virginia to earn his JD from the School of Law in 1972.

A proud naval officer, John served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain. Over the course of his distinguished career, he commanded NISC PROD 0486 in 1982 and Fleet Ocean Surveillance Facility in Rota, Spain, from 1984 to 1986. In 1983, he received the Earnhart Award as the Outstanding Sea Power Briefer and served as Weekend Intelligence Briefer for the Commander in Chief, Atlantic.

Following his military service, John served as Assistant Attorney General of Virginia, continuing his commitment to public service for nearly 30 years.

John proudly served as President and Chairman of the Board of the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club. John also served as President and Board Member of Riverside School and was an active member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry. His dedication to service extended to volunteering with Virginia Voice and serving as a volunteer reader for the Kiwanis Club at Richmond Public Schools.

Above all, John was a devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by a brother, Lawrence Cann Purcell and his wife, Alice Fong Purcell, and their daughter, Nancy Taylor Purcell; his sons, John Barry Purcell III and his wife, Allison Smith Purcell, and Charles Tupper Purcell and his wife, Sagle Jones Purcell. He was a proud grandfather to John Barry Purcell IV, Ellie Renea Purcell, Edith Addison Purcell, Charles Tupper Purcell, Jr., and Carter Andrew Purcell.

John will be remembered for his integrity, intellect, kindness and above all his love for his family.

A service will be held at St. Stephen's Church on March 19rd at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow at the Country Club of Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Richmond Strikers and Riverside School.

Bliley's Funeral Home