Updated 1/30/20
James Robert Puryear, Jr. of Pulaski passed away Wednesday evening, January 29, 2020, at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System Pulaski. He was born on July 30, 1922 in Wales, Tennessee and was 97 years old.
He was a 1940 graduate of Giles County High School and Martin College in 1942. He then went to the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Polytechnic Institute until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. James served as an infantryman in the 94th Infantry Division in Germany in WWII. He participated in two of the four campaigns in the European Theater of Operations. He is the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. He was a true patriot in every sense.
He was appointed postmaster at Wales, TN in 1946 and served as postmaster at Goodspring, TN, retiring with almost 50 years of government service. He accumulated an unprecedented 4,312 hours of unpaid sick leave. James operated the general store at Wales for 27 years. He served on the Giles County Selective Service Board from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. James wrote a book of short stories Potbellied Potpourri and a 446-page novel The Way It Was. He designed and painted the Uncle Sam Totem Pole on the south corner of the public square. He also created the Giles County Trivia Game.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 Friday, January 31, 2020, at Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be 10:00 Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the First Presbyterian Church in Pulaski.
Burial with full military honors will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.
Memorial donations are suggested to The Giles County Honor Guard c/o P.O. Box 321 Pulaski, TN 38478, The First Presbyterian Church c/o 202 S. 2nd Street Pulaski, TN 38478, or the charity of your choice.
He was preceded in death by his parents James Robert and Mamie Madry Puryear, Sr. His sisters Nell Lee and Sara Mullins. Brother-in-law David Hardy. Nephew Jere Lee.
He is survived by his;
Wife, Barbara H, Puryear of Pulaski.
Daughter, Trish Crist of Nashville.
Niece, Kay Mullins of Donelson, Tn.
Nephew, Dr. David (Sheridan) Lee of Nashville.
Brother-In-Law, Ron (Monica) Hardy of Huntsville, Al.
Sister-in-laws, Kay Hardy of Ardmore and Wanda (Mike) Darnall of Arlington, TX.
Several grand-nieces and nephews also survive.
Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of arrangements for James Robert Puryear, Jr.
