John H. Purkins

John Purkins, 92, of Glen Burnie, MD passed away suddenly on Monday October 1, 2012. John was born on August 21, 1920 in Jessup, MD. He was the son of William and Vesta (Gohl) Purkins. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jane E. (Carter) Purkins. John is survived by two daughters, Donna J. Burch and her husband, Pat, of Emmitsburg, MD and Carol L. Frady and her husband, Fred of Sevierville, TN. He is also survived by five grandchildren - Barry Burch and his wife, Denise of Thurmont, MD, Kevin Wynkoop and his wife, Lisa of Bethesda, MD, Terri Owens of Thurmont, MD, Corinne Shaffer of Jacksonville, FL, Sean Murphy and his wife, Stacy, of El Paso, TX.John also had 10 great-grandchildren - Diana and Elizabeth Burch, Travis Wynkoop, Derek and Alec Owens, Rebecca and Ethan Shaffer, Aidan, Ashlyn, and Kian Murphy. John will also be remembered by a close friend and companion of ten years, Helen Thompson. John was a United States Navy veteran of World War II. He served on the USS Starr in the South Pacific campaign prior to Japan's surrender. John enjoyed many outdoor activities such as golfing with family and friends. He also enjoyed camping at Swallow Falls State Park with family and friends from Ohio to Florida. John was an avid traveler. He travelled the world, from Australia to China to Europe to South America. One of John's greatest pleasures was sailing the Chesapeake Bay on his sailboats, "Afterthought" and "Windswept." In addition to his outdoor activities, John was an accomplished woodworking craftsman. He enjoyed restoring antique furniture and making grandfather clocks for his family.John was a member of the Glen Burnie Moose Lodge 1456 and the Stoney Creek Seniors Club.