August 13, 1935  —  July 17, 2026

Larry Roger Purciel, a devoted husband, father, and man of deep faith, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2026, in Roseville, California, at the age of 90. He was born on August 13, 1935, in San Bernardino, California, and he spent the ninety years that followed pouring himself into the people and the God he loved. His life was full, and it was faithful to the very end.

Larry approached his education the way he approached everything, with determination and quiet excellence. Early on he served in the Army Reserves at Fort Ord in Monterey for a time. Then he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art from the University of California, Los Angeles. After graduating, he worked as an advertising and industrial designer at Westlock. But it was in the classroom that he found his true calling. Larry earned a K–8th grade teaching credential from California State University, Sacramento. Teaching fourth grade at Ophir Elementary School, Larry gave his students far more than lessons. He gave them his patience, his encouragement, and his belief in what they could become. Generations of children were shaped by his care, and many carried it with them for the rest of their lives.

Larry was a man of remarkable talent, craftsmanship, and tireless energy. He custom built his family’s home in Grass Valley with his own two hands, every beam and every board a testament to his skill and his devotion. He loved the outdoors, whether he was camping, hiking, backpacking, or skiing. That same restless, joyful spirit carried him and his family on travels and adventures that became some of their most treasured memories, with Yosemite National Park and Mammoth among his favorites. One of his best memories was a Thanksgiving spent camping in their VW van, when it snowed so much that the family had to head to the Ahwahnee Hotel to warm up and play Pictionary.

Faith was the cornerstone of everything Larry did. His love for God was not something he kept to himself. It moved him to serve, again and again, wherever the need was greatest. He worked to comfort and help the burn victims of the Paradise fire through Samaritan’s Purse. He took the family to Kona, Hawaii, for a summer serving with Youth With A Mission. His compassion carried him all the way to Toluca, Mexico, where he came alongside local churches, doing his best to speak Spanish along the way. Everyone who knew Larry saw his faith not just in his words but in his hands, always reaching out to lift someone else up.

Larry met the love of his life, Carol Purciel, in a singles group at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, and the rest was history. What began there grew into a full marriage of 59 years, a love steady and true and unmistakable to everyone around them. Together they built a home and a family rooted in devotion, and the way they loved each other became an example to all who knew them.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, by their sons, Tom Purciel and Matt Purciel, and by the many others whose lives were made warmer by his kindness and generosity. He was the last of four brothers, and he carried his family’s love with him to the end.

Larry will be remembered for his famous mustache, his ever-present smile, his kindness, his creativity, his adventurous spirit, his hard work, his unwavering faith, and the warmth that made everyone feel welcome in his presence. His legacy lives on in every life he touched along his remarkable journey.

May the memory of Larry Roger Purciel bring comfort to all who loved him as they gather to celebrate a life so well and truly lived.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 8, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Grass Valley, 1866 Ridge Road