James Gerald Purdy

Born in Roanoke, VA in 1934, into a family of eight boys and 2 girls who in 1949 moved to Albuquerque after their father died. Jerry attended St. Mary high school and received a degree from the University of Albuquerque in Business Management. After serving in the army during the Korean War period, he joined ACF Industries, where he began as a general factory employee and after ten years worked his way up to Senior Quality engineer. Jerry then transferred to Dow Chemical Co. He joined GE Aircraft Engine Co. in 1968 as a quality supervisor and rose to the position of Manager of Manufacturing. He spent 20 years with GE at the Albuquerque plant, then located at Woodward Road, before moving to Puerto Rico with GE Lighting Division as General Manager of Wiring Devices. He managed 2 manufacturing factories in Puerto Rico and later built another factory in the Dominican Republic. He was given an award by the Dominican Republic for securing and donating a fire truck to the town of Haina where most of his factory workers lived. He was also responsible for the later donation of x-ray equipment from GE to a major hospital in Santo Domingo. After 7 years in Ponce, Puerto Rico he decided to retire back in Albuquerque with his wife Esther and to be close to their 6 children and 12 grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is proceeded in death by: parents John Thomas Purdy, Christine A. McCarty Purdy, brothers; George, Joe, Pat, Walter, and sister Mary Jane Purdy. Jerry is survived by: wife Esther of 54 years, Darlene Salazar and husband Mark, Di-ana Rael and husband Francis D., Rudy Purdy, Denise Aiken and husband Bruce, James T. Purdy, Doreen Spahr and husband Russell, 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and beloved pet Goldie. A Rosary will be held at Daniels Family Funeral Services Wyoming Chapel at six o�clock on Friday, February 7, 2014. A Mass will be held at Risen Savior Catholic Church at one o�clock on Saturday, February 8, 2014.