Robert "Bob" W. Purnell

Robert "Bob" W. Purnell, 63, Spirit AeroSystems Lab Tech and Inspector, died Sunday, August 14, 2022. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm, Friday, August 19, 2022, at South Rock Christian Church. Preceded in death by his father, Forrest Wayne Purnell; mother, Mary Cathryn Ferguson-Lewis. Survived by his wife, Connie Purnell of Wichita, KS; sons, Brett Purnell, Ryan Purnell; sister, Cindy (Frank) Brown; brother, Scott Ferguson; aunt, Sandra (Phil) Rogers; mother-in-law, Jeannie Martin; niece, Vanessa (Shawn) Jakovac; nephew, Jacob Brown; brother-in-law, Chris (Cai) Lowry; numerous extended family. Memorials have been established with: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water St., Wichita, KS 67202. Bob Purnell was a gentle giant, a kind soul and loved his family and friends unconditionally! He was loved by all who knew him, you couldn’t meet Bob and not like him. He had an amazing smile, twinkling blue eyes that disappeared when he laughed and had a contagious belly laugh! He had a mind like a steel trap! He would read the KC Star and Wichita Eagle newspapers cover to cover every day. He knew at least a little bit about most everything. This made him interesting to talk to and fun to watch Jeopardy with!Bob was loved by great niece Clara and great nephew Hudson along with numerous Honorary nieces and nephews who loved their “Uncle Bobby” dearly! Kids were always drawn to Bob and he to them. For many years Bob coached his own sons along with many other boys in the Goddard Junior Football League and Goddard Summer Baseball League. His passion for sports began as a young child, especially his love for The Kansas City Chiefs and The Kansas City Royals. He had a wealth of knowledge about the games and the players. He loved all college sports and followed all the Kansas teams, but Notre Dame was his favorite. He was a huge Joe Montana fan when he played for Notre Dame and was thrilled when he became Quarterback for his beloved Chiefs! As a young man Bob played football for Butler County Community College. He loved to Bowl, Golf, Fish, play Softball and COED Volleyball which is where he met Connie! As years of living with just one lung took its toll he played less and became more of an ultimate fan. Especially supporting Brett and Ryan in sports. There really wasn't any sport he wouldn't watch, except maybe ice skating! He preferred to tease his wife about the skaters doing another "Saw A Cow", which just proved he secretly watched ice skating too! He was always up for a game of poker and took great pleasure in taking everyone's money! While playing his favorite poker game- Eight and a half, he liked to remind his buddies that "The Tide Comes In and The Tide Goes Out!" as he was pulling the pot of their money towards him with his ornery smile and laugh! Those same friends would get their revenge when they got him in the fishing boat and would find a snake to traumatize him with. These amazing friends refer to themselves as "THE GROUP" and it is an honor to be part of it! Most of the members of "The Group" have been together since childhood and have an incredibly rare and unique relationship, envied by others. They have traveled together, raised families together, just hung out, celebrated life's greatest joys and supported and held each other through life's painful moments too. "The Group" and "The Baby Group" (children of the group) will wrap their arms around his family and continue to love and support them. Connie always joked with Bob that she was marrying him for "THE GROUP"! It certainly sweetened the deal!!! And WOW what a deal it has been!