Obituary of Bryan A. Purkey

Bryan was born in Morristown, TN on December 9, 1974 to loving parents, Sheila (Lowder) and Jack Purkey. Raised in Haddon Twp., NJ, Bryan excelled at academics and sports as a child. He especially loved playing basketball and golf. He spent summers with his family in TN where he loved fishing with his father. Always a fan of music, he took up guitar around age 12, which led him on a lifelong journey making magical music as an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist. He was a gifted guitar and bass player and spent many years playing in bands both for fun and professionally. He was passionate about animals and nature and could talk endlessly about birds of prey, trees, rivers, and especially his beloved companion bird, Bungee. Bryan was also an avid fan of the Eagles and Phillies, spending countless hours cheering on his teams.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Purkey, and sister, Karen Purkey. 

Bryan is survived by his mother, Sheila Purkey, sister, Susan Smetona, brother-in-law, Matthew Smetona, nephew Elliott Smetona, stepfather, Rob Baen, sister, Amanda Purkey, sister, Jennifer Purkey, nephew, Kayeden Purkey, and his cousin and lifelong best friend, Tom Purkey, as well as other friends and relatives.