Purdum, James “Jimmy”

26 Mar Purdum, James “Jimmy”

Feb. 16, 1937 – Sept. 25, 2009

Mr. James Julian “Jimmy” Purdum, 72, of Clarksburg, died suddenly Friday, Sept. 25, 2009. He was the loving husband of D. Lorraine Purdum, his wife of 48 years.

Born Feb. 16, 1937, in Frederick, he was a son of the late James William and Julia Davis Purdum.

Jimmy was a graduate of Damascus High School, served in the U.S. Army and worked as a dairy farmer on the family farm in Clarksburg until 1976. He then worked as an agent for Peoples Life Insurance Co. until 1996. Since that time, he was an independent farmer with his good friend, Harold Beall.

He was well-known in the surrounding area for his musical talents. He began entertaining people in the 1950s with his friend, Lewis Burdette. He continued to provide entertainment for various social functions for more than 50 years. He will be missed by his band members, Dinah Mullinix, Raymond Warfield, Oliver King and Steve Trutkoff, as well as his good friend and songwriter, Harold Staley.

Jimmy was a member of the American Legion Post 171 in Damascus, and the Loyal Order of Moose in Frederick. He was a longtime member of Clarksburg United Methodist Church.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Kimberly M. Houser and her husband, Todd, of Clarksburg; three grandchildren, Julia Wade, Anthony Houser and Haylie Houser; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jimmy was preceded in death by Velma Ray Purdum, the mother who raised him from a small child; and a brother, William Ray Purdum.