John Purcell

John Darrell Purcell, 85, passed away at his home on April 8, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born November 15, 1940, in Horton, Kansas, the son of John W. and Aeneita (Clark) Purcell.

John graduated from Horton High School in 1958, attended Highland Community College, earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1962, and later received his Master’s degree in Mathematics from Emporia State University in 1966.

John dedicated 39 years to teaching Mathematics at USD 501. His longest tenure was at French Middle School, where he taught from 1976 to 2001. In addition to his career in education, John was an entrepreneur who owned five laundromats, including Gage Center Easy Wash, which he operated for more than three decades. In recent years, he enjoyed selling collectibles and memorabilia on eBay.

John was a humorous and kind man who was always willing to help others in a genuine way. He showed his love through acts of service and generosity, always giving his time freely to those around him. He had a passion for finding a good sale, and his extensive collection of items was fondly known by family as “the family store,” as he always seemed to have exactly what anyone needed.

He loved music and concerts and had a remarkable ability to play almost any song by ear on the piano. He was an avid sports fan, especially of Chiefs football and Royals baseball, and he took great pride in following his alma mater, Kansas State University.

In retirement, John was often recognized by former students who were always happy to see him. It was remarkable how many names he remembered, and he was frequently told he was their favorite teacher. Through his work at Gage Center Easy Wash, he built lasting friendships and continued to serve others with patience and kindness.

John was also a talented cook, especially on the grill, and he loved preparing meals for family and friends. He firmly believed there was always room for dessert. Highly intelligent and knowledgeable on a wide range of topics, he was someone people turned to for advice and guidance. We LOVED him dearly. He was ALWAYS there for us.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy Lacey-Purcell; and his six children: Lindsey Purcell of Topeka, Kansas; Chad Lacey of Topeka, Kansas; Eric Purcell (Suqueen) of Topeka, Kansas; Ryan Purcell (Charlotte) of Topeka, Kansas; Jona Purcell of Plano, Texas; and Stacey Purcell (Steve) of Oak Point, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren — Codi, Chanel, Jordan, Kyle, Colby, Brandon, Blake, William, and Aiden — and six great-grandchildren.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, April 16th, 2026 from 5-7pm at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66604. Funeral services will be on Friday, April 17th, 2026 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home beginning at 11:00AM, followed by burial at Mount Hope Cemetery.

The funeral service will be live streamed and will begin 15 minutes before service time. To register to watch, please click the following link: John Purcell Funeral Livestream Link

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