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Died February 2, 2021.
Gilbert Public Schools, Gilbert, AZ
Keith L. Purdy, 70 of Gilbert, AZ graduated from mortality on February 2, 2021.
Keith is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Joan Marie (Six) Purdy, and their 7 children; Rachelle (Brian) Shahan of Delaware, Nyline (Nathan) Barron of Washington, Marjorie (Gustavo) Lom of Arizona, Keith C. (Jessica) Purdy of Arizona, Rebekah (Joshua) Winter of Arizona, Cathryn (Keith) Figured of Arizona, Joan (Paul) Pipersburgh of Wisconsin, a surrogate daughter Leann Baumann of Delaware as well as 22 grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings Elizabeth Hart, Cynthia Gardner, Alica Stott, Lynn Chatham, Michelle Chatham, and Richard Purdy.
Keith was preceded in death by his mother Florence (Lucas) Burr, father John Burr, and biological father Richard Purdy, step-father Donald Chatham.
Keith L Purdy was born September 10, 1950, in Philadelphia PA. spending the first 5 years of his childhood with his grandfather in his bicycle shop. He would later join his mother and step-father in Illinois and would later move with his mother and siblings to Arizona. Keith is a class of 1969 graduate of Mesa Highschool. Keith served a full-time mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1970 to 1972 in the North-Western States Mission serving in Idaho, and Oregon. Over the course of his life, Keith worked hard in numerous positions of employment. His employment included milk and bread delivery representative, Regional Sales Director with A.N.F Pet Foods, Banker with MBNA, and later Bank of America. In retirement, he very much enjoyed his position as Bus Driver with Gilbert Public Schools driving bus #T261. Keith enjoyed playing many sports over the course of his life. Some included softball, basketball, football, and racquetball. Keith also came to enjoy cycling, often logging 20 miles a day along the streets of Gilbert and Mesa. One of his greatest accomplishments came in 2005 when he hiked the Grand Canyon, solo, from rim to rim in just over 24 hours. Keith was awarded recognition for being the greatest contributor in his Dale Carnegie Business and Communications course (1985) and has been recognized as a Competent Communicator in the Toastmasters International Communication Program (2017). Keith would tell you his greatest accomplishment was winning the heart of Joan M. Six in 1975. They were married on September 12, 1975, for Time and all Eternity in the Mesa AZ Temple. Keith always had a mind for service. He served countless callings with his church, including Branch President of the Durant Oklahoma Branch, Sunday School Teacher, High Priest Group Leader, Stake High Council, Councilor in the Smyrna Delaware Ward Bishopric, Young Men’s President, Stake Young Men’s President, Ward Mission Leader, Primary Activity Day Leader, and was a Temple Worker for many years for both the Mesa and Gilbert AZ Temples. He would say that his most important callings were that of Husband, Father, and Grandpa. Every responsibility placed on his shoulders was given his greatest effort, so it’s no wonder his Heavenly Father would call him to a higher calling. Keith’s faith was unwavering and his love of his Savior and the Atonement evident in the way he lived his life. To know Keith was to love him.