November 20, 2002 — May 14, 2024
PFC Hunter Purcell, age 21, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.
PFC Purcell was born in Riverdale, Georgia on November 20, 2002. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Czeslaw Albin Kocienda, great grandmother, Doris Mae Sluder, and stepfather, Marcus Berno.
He had attended Coweta County School System, before moving to Port Orchard, Washington to complete High School at Discovery High School in 2022. While in Port Orchard School System he attended a work program that taught him the skill of welding.
While finishing high school, a caregiver in the home inspired him by daily example to help improve the lives of the people around him and acquire the certifications he needed to do it. He worked side by side with this woman helping special needs children in the community with pride.
After graduation he joined the United States Army. He enjoyed fishing, was a jokester, anything to do with being outdoors, spending time with the family, always took the opportunity to team up with his brother to pick on his sisters.
Survivors include his mother, Jennifer Purcell; his father, Keith Kocienda; siblings, Kristopher Blayne Brower, Ashley Lynn Kocienda, MacKenzie Jewel-Lee Berno, Steven Jude Balsamo, Anna Lynn Berno; grandparents, Kathryn (Billy) Vaughn, Mike Purcell; uncle, Mark Purcell, uncle, Evan (Kim) Vaughn and family Angel, Tristen, Jospeh, aunt, Deleya Jean Brown; great uncle, Jeff Sluder; cousins, Tracy (Chris) Griffin and their children, Timoth, Brittany, Zachary (Mahala) and daughter, Raelyn, cousins, Trinity, Colby, Lexa Rose Blankenship; stepmother, Vanessa Balsamo.
A visitation will be Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Reverend Martin Jones will officiate. Interment will follow in Westminster Cemetery, Peachtree City with full military honors.
Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1981 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin is in charge of arrangements.
Please join the family and friends in honoring the life of PFC Hunter Purcell by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories.