Thomas Earl Purvis

Thomas Earl Purvis passed away on Nov 14th at Redlands Community Hospital due to complications from cancer with his family by his side . He was 52 years old. He was born at Redlands Community Hospital on March 13, 1960 but has lived in Mentone all of his life. He attended Mentone Elementary school, Moore Jr. High and Redlands High school where he was a member of the class of 1978. He worked at his family business, Wilbur s Power Equipment, from the time he was a teenager to 1999 when he went to work for Turf Star, a division of the Toro Co as territory sales manager for So. Calif. In 2011 he received the coveted Toro blazer for top salesman west of the Mississippi. Tom was active growing up in Mentone where he was in 4H and Future Farmers of America, Cub and Boy scouts. He also enjoyed mini bikes, motorcycles and his animals. In his adult years, he enjoyed gold prospecting, off roading, restoring Broncos ,Volkswagons and building his Koi pond with his wife Heather. He was a member of the Mentone Moose Lodge , Redtones E Clampus Vitus , Billy Holcomb Chapter and guest member of the VW Bus club. Tom is survived by his lovely wife Heather, son Tommy (Jaime) of Mentone. daughter Michelle Ortiz, (Ruben) of Redlands, stepson Ricky Kunkle of Big Bear, grandchildren Conner & Brooklyn Purvis, Alexis and Lauren Ortiz, Sisters Diana Leest (Harry) Beverly Snyder (Dale) and his parents Wilbur & June Purvis. He had several nieces , nephews and countless friends. Visitation will be Monday Nov 26th 4 to 8pm. Funeral service will be held Nov. 27th at 11am at Emmerson-Bartlett Memorial Chapel at 703 Brookside Ave, Redlands.