Larry Lee Purviance Sr of Maryland Heights born October 10,1958 to Richard A. & Marlene L. Purviance (nee Overby) lost his battle to Scleroderma on February 17, 2023. He fought a long and courageous fight against the ruthless disease. Larry was a hard working union carpenter of Local 97 (previously local 47) from 1977 until his retirement in 2009. Larry was very proud of his service in the United States Army, where he obtained the rank as Sargent. After boot camp in 1987, he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas with the 62nd Engineers Battalion. He served our country in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm from November 1990 to April 1991. Upon returning to American soil, Larry received an
honorable discharge from the United States Army. Larry embraced the time he served and loved talking about all the fellow soldiers and great
buddies he met. He also loved talking with the soldiers and veterans with special fondness for speaking to WWII vets. He said we had so much to learn from them. Larry wished everyone would take the time to sit and listen to the stories and information they had to share. Larry was a current member of the VFW post 3944.

Larry is survived by his wife Julie Purviance (nee Baggett). Their children, Larry L Purviance Jr (aka Lil Lar) and Lindsey E. (Brendan) Schaefer. Larry is also survived by his oldest child, Sonya Gerber (nee Bergmann), her husband Jeff, and their 3 sons, Brandan, Brett and Brad. His brother, David (Debbie) Wielms and his sister, Sharon L. Roberts (nee Purviance). Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Allen and Marlene Louise Purviance and his brother in law, Don Roberts, Jr.

Larry and Julie would have celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary on April 11, 2023. Larry enjoyed so many things in life, whether it be camping trips with his kids, or weekends sitting at the river on the Dardenne Slough. He loved watching Lindsey at her dance competitions and weekends at the track watching Lil Lar race moto cross. He would always say, "Family First." He appreciated the simple things in life. It didn't matter where he was or what the temperature was outside, he was always ready to be barbecuing while drinking a cold beer.

Larry was a loving husband, father, father in law, son in law, brother, brother in law, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. Larry will never be forgotten. He will be loved and missed forever by those who loved him.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Songs 4 Soldiers (S4S) or to the Scleroderma Foundation (Attention Research).

Songs4Soldiers, NFP
PO Box 1165
Columbia IL, 62236

www.s4sstl.org

www.national.scleroderma.org

Funeral service Monday, February 27, 11:00 AM at COLLIER'S Funeral Home, 3400 North Lindbergh Blvd. (St. Ann). Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Visitation Sunday, 4:00-8:00 PM.