Robert Halsey Purinton, 91, of Morriston Florida, passed away on January 30, 2016 at Haven Hospice in Chiefland, Florida. Robert was born on July 31, 1924, in Bridgehampton, New York, to Mildred Halsey Purinton and Horatio Purinton. At an early age Bob moved with his family to Bradenton, Florida following his father’s untimely death. He attended public schools in Bradenton, FL and then attended high school in Rome, Georgia at Darlington School. Robert enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942 in the Second Marine Division. His military service included some of the most hard fought battles in the South Pacific during World War II including Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and kinawa. He also served in the occupation of Japan and was honorably discharged in 1946. After World War II, Robert returned to Bradenton where he ran his own farm and later built a very successful mining operation. He also owned and operated several commercial fishing boats out of Cortez, FL. He retired to Morriston, FL where he raised cattle and buffalo at the Purinton “Rocking P” Ranch. Robert is preceded in death by his brothers James Thomas Purinton and Julian Frank Carney, and his first wife, Anna Lee Moss Purinton. Surviving are his devoted wife of 43 years, Mary Helen Purinton; sons Michael Ray Purinton (his wife Shann) , Robert Carney Purinton (his wife Brenda), daughters Patricia Lee Garrett (her husband Wayne), Juliann Purinton, Katherine Halsey Gray (husband Jeff), and his sister Joyce Cox Greene. He is survived by two stepchildren, Leslie Garland (husband Tim Pleasant), Pete Garland (wife Ruth Kirby Garland), eleven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews Funeral will be Thursday, February 4th, 2016 at 11:00AM with visitation one hour prior at Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon. Burial will follow at 1:30PM, with full military honors by The Marine Corp League #708 of Spring Hill at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. The family has asked that memorial donations be made to Haven
Hospice, 311 NE 9th Street, Chiefland, FL 32626.
He will be greatly missed.
