David Bernard Purinton Sr.

“MOOSE or Mr. MOOSE” (aka David B. Purinton, Sr.) loving son, cousin, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to so many, passed peacefully on January 23^rd, 2023, following a heroic battle with malignant melanoma for the last several months.

David was born on September 9,1940, in St. Louis, Missouri to Juanita Evelyn (Bottenberg) Purinton and Joseph Purinton. The family later moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1956 where David attended and graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1958. He then went on to Olivet Nazarene University and graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s in education and science in 1962.

Growing up, David’s interests were varied. He loved cars, boating, music, and football. At his mother’s insistence he played the trombone throughout high school and college, escaping to the football field when that box was checked.

These passions were paramount in his life until he met his high school sweetheart and beautiful bride-to-be, Norma Lynn Purinton. Their relationship was rooted in their shared faith and love of the Lord as they participated in youth group activities at Fort Lauderdale First Church of the Nazarene. They were married in August of 1963 and will celebrate 60 years this year. They lived in Fort Lauderdale until the mid-seventies when they moved to Pompano Beach, FL where they reside to this day. Together they created a beautiful home and family, where he and Norma would raise their two boys David & Steven.

Moose (David) never met a stranger! He would point to the love of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as foundational to his approach to life and others. Eclipsing all other passions, was his faithful involvement with the Pompano Beach Church of the Nazarene, where he was a long-serving and faithful layman on the Florida district throughout the entirety of his adult life.

A common thread of David’s life was serving others. He served his students as an educator at Hialeah High School where he taught biology for a decade. At the urging of a friend, he then made what became his 50+ year career as an Insurance Agent, serving the needs of many companies and families in the South Florida Community. His impact was profound with his colleagues and customers alike, leaving a legacy as big and strong as a Moose! You could also see him serving friends and a small customer base at nights in his garage working on cars (many times free of charge). He loved volunteering his time and expertise at car shows and even the 12 hours of Sebring, working in the Ferrari pits. Much of his serving supported the Pompano Church of the Nazarene, where you could find him singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school. He also poured into the church youth, as he and Norma took the kids on camping trips and hosted many activities in their home. He was always available to lend an ear and mentor a young person in a caring and meaningful way. This was a practice that persisted even until the last week of his life as visitors came to encourage him and left having been encouraged by his words and kindness.

He was a strong patriarch of his family, a good friend to all and a man who would give you the shirt off his back.

David “MOOSE” was a strong, proud, faithful, and good man of God that is loved and will be missed by many. He has left an incredible legacy of faith and love to his family and all that were blessed to know him.

Mr. Purinton is survived by his loving wife, Norma Lynn Purinton, his children David Purinton Jr (Kim) and Steven Purinton (April); his grandchildren Brent, Kara, Elizabeth and Caden and first great grandchild Mia. A host of cousins, and extended family along with a vast community of friends that loved and adored him.

A memorial service will be held on Friday February 3^rd, at 7pm at PBN Church:  916 NE 4^th street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made (and checks made payable) to the African Nazarene University Foundation, earmarked (memo) for the Purinton Family Scholarship. This is a cause near and dear to his & his family’s heart, as it provides educational support to impoverished communities that would not otherwise be able to access it. Checks should be sent to: ANU Foundation, 5016 Spedale Ct #416, Spring Hill, Tennessee 37174.