Gerald (Jerry) Lee Pursley, Esq. – Civil Servant, Mason, American Legion – Lodi

Jerry passed away, Monday, March 25, 2013 at Akron General Medical Center succumbing to the affects of a short illness.

Jerry was born July 2, 1945 in Akron, OH. His life began in humble surrounding, growing up on a farm in Seville. He enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served from 1962 – 1966. After his time in the service, he attended college (through the GI Bill) including Cleveland State and Kent State – Summa Cum Laude, with visions of becoming an attorney.

After passing the bar in 1978, he devoted his life to public service, as a prosecuting attorney in Akron. From there he moved to Prosecutor, Law Director and Service Director of Cuyahoga Falls.

Next to Columbus where he served under two governors, George Voinovich and Bob Taft, as Superintendent of Industrial Compliance Ohio Department of Commerce, Chief Administrative Law Judge, State Employment Relations Board, State of Ohio Department of Commerce Deputy Director and finally Ohio Turnpike Commission’s Deputy Executive director.

He will always be remembered with love and laughter by his friends and family. He was passionate about many things, and through himself wholeheartedly into cooking, skydiving, politics, live theater and history, especially the Civil War.

But most of all, he loved his family. Jerry is survived by his wife, Nancy Pursley, children Adrienne (Mike) Dougherty, Mark (Sue) Pursley, step-daughters Eileen and Sarah Fenwick, grandchildren Lauren, Jenna, Renee, Tessa, Kyle, and Ella, sisters Jacqui Pursley,Tina (Greg) Frary, nephews Justin and Mason Frary, and sister-in-law, Ann Pursley Knill.

There will be a private interment for immediate family at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

There will be a public Celebration of Jerry’s Life on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at The Galaxy Restaurant, 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth, OH 44281 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.

Jerry requested that in lieu of flowers to please donate to Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.

Hilliard-Rospert
(330-334-1501)
www.hilliardrospert.com