John Kendall Purdy

Purdy, John Kendall,”Mr Accommodating,”

Passed away October 28 after a brave battle against Amyloidosis.  He is survived by wife of 52 years Lindy, Daughter Alyssa, Son Tyler (Tracy), grandsons William and Griffin and brother Phillip.  John’s life will be celebrated at Wayzata Community Church on Monday November 28, 2022 at 3:00pm. 

John was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, younger brother to Phillip.  In their early life, Phil and John lived in River Falls, WI. and Decorah, IA.  John loved his “boyhood homes,” but moved to Minnetonka in seventh grade.  He is a graduate of Minnetonka High school “Class of 63” where he was a three-sport athlete and class officer.  He received a degree in Journalism and Advertising from the University of Minnesota and was a lifelong member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.  His Minnetonka classmates and Sigma Chi fraternity brothers became life-long friends—and many of them golfing buddies.

John received his MBA from the University of Colorado-Boulder and built a career in Advertising and Marketing.  He also had a bonus career in teaching, that he loved very much.  He was an adjunct professor at the U of M, and a clinical professor in Advertising and Business Communications at the University of St. Thomas, where he taught undergrads for 8 years.  John was mentor to many in his career and in his life.

John met Minnetonka graduate, “Lindell Turner,” Lindy, on a tennis court, the summer before she headed off the Gustavus Adolphus College.  They dated off and on for the next four years and were married on August 22, 1970 at the Congregational Church of Excelsior.  Their family home on Fagerness Point, was purchased in 1973 and would be the headquarters for many parties and gatherings over the next 49 years. 

Daughter Alyssa was born in 1974 and was the proverbial “apple of her father’s eye.”  John and Alyssa shared a special daddy-daughter relationship that brought great joy to his life.  When son Ty was born in 1977, John was over the moon excited to have a son. John jumped into the coaching role and cheering and attending the many events and sports that his kids participated in.

There were family trips to Puerto Rico, Big Mountain and Camp DuNord, all of which are favorite family destinations.   John and Lindy also enjoyed travel around the US, Europe, the Middle East,  and Africa. 

John was delighted when the family grew with the addition of daughter-in-law Tracy and grandsons, Will and Griff.  He was their biggest cheerleader and “fan-in-the-stands.”

John and his brother Phil were very close.  They enjoyed many sports together growing up and maintained a close relationship, with weekly lunch outings until the very end.  We know that Phil will miss John’s presence greatly.

John loved many things.  He loved and participated in sports throughout his lifetime.  He was known for his quick feet on the tennis court, his entertaining “yardsale” falls on the ski slopes, his long and occasionally misdirected drives on the golf course and his acrobatic moves in the waves of Luquillo.  Perhaps he is best remembered as a friend and companion.  John made and maintained friendships from every era, every community, and every place in his life.  He joined Wayzata Community Church in 1996, and made many dear friends singing, serving and as a welcoming presence for rummage receiving. 

John loved music; he sang in choir at the Congregational Church of Excelsior and in the Chancel choir at Wayzata Community Church.  He especially loved organ music, often listening to it in the car as he drove to his many appointments.  

In May of 2017, John was diagnosed with Cardiac Amyloidosis and referred to the Mayo Clinic for treatment.  He was invited to participate in two studies for drugs that slowed the progression of this degenerative disease.  He became a student of “Wild Style Amyloidosis” and was eager to help with any advancement in diagnosing and treating this debilitating disease.  We are so grateful for the knowledgeable and tender treatment John received from the medical staff at Mayo.  Special thanks to Janell Grazzini Frantz, Dr. Martha Grogan and the many caring people on John’s medical team.   We feel that John’s life was extended and made more meaningful because of his excellent care.

In this season of gratitude, we are grateful for John’s life and the great love he shared along his life journey.  He will be missed by many.  He was honored to have each of you in his life.    

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