Preston Pemberton Purdum Jr.

PURDUM, Preston Pemberton Jr., born May 15, 1931 in Danville, VA, went to his heavenly reward on July 30, 2023 after a many months struggle with cancer. He was predeceased by his parents Preston P. Purdum Sr. and Anne Carter Purdum, his beloved wife Frances Moseley Purdum, and daughter Carter Purdum Dale. He is survived by his son, Preston P. Purdum III and his wife Lynn of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Emily Frances Purdum of Pasadena, MD and William Franklin Purdum of Rockville, MD; and son-in-law, Larry Dale of Richmond, VA.

He graduated from the University of Richmond with a business degree, class of 1954. He had a successful career as a salesman initially with Adressograph Multigraph Corporation and then Copy Van Inc. of Virginia.

Pres, as he was called, loved entertaining family and friends including his best friends from the University of Richmond. He remained close to many of his Theta Chi fraternity brothers throughout his life. He looked forward to the fall of each year attending U of R football games with family and friends. Once retired, he became one of what his friends called the "Romeos" (retired old men eating out). He saw humor in many things, was quick to smile and laugh and greatly enjoyed watching old cartoons, particularly with his grandchildren. On vacations in Florida, he proved more than competent with a fishing rod.

He was a life-long Methodist and faithful attendee of River Road United Methodist Church. He and Fran traveled extensively throughout the US and abroad. He greatly enjoyed his many trips "over the mountain" to visit Fran's extended family in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He and Frances were avid gardeners who generously supported and volunteered for decades at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the kind hospice staff of Affinity Care of Richmond.

A celebration of life will occur at River Road United Methodist Church on August 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to River Road United Methodist Church or Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. At a later date, he will be interned at Mt Olivet Cemetery, McGaheysville, VA.