Edward A. Purnell

EDWARD "Ed" A. PURNELL, passed away on June 27, 2025, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born on August 18, 1954, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Dr. Edward Purnell and Marjorie Eynon Purnell.

A lifelong scholar and educator, Ed graduated as valedictorian from Euclid High School in 1972 and went on to earn a degree in English from Princeton University in June 1976. After graduation, he joined the Peace Corps and served in South Korea from 1976 to 1978, where he met his beloved wife of 47 years, Inwoo Lee Purnell. He later earned an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management in 1979.

From 1980 to 1982, Ed worked at a bank in New York, then continued his work at the bank's Seoul branch from 1983 to 1986. Following the birth of their first daughter, Zita Elizabeth, Ed returned to the United States to attend Harvard Law School, graduating in 1990. Their second daughter, Rebecca, was born shortly afterward.

Ed practiced tax law at Jones Day in Cleveland from 1990 to 2000, then continued his legal career in the firm's Chicago office from 2001 to 2010. In 2011, Ed and his family returned to South Korea, where he joined Handong International Law School in Pohang as a professor and later served as dean of Grace School of Handong until 2023.

At Handong, Ed was not only a respected professor but also a spiritual mentor. He led Bible studies and served as a role model to many students. During school breaks, he led mission trips to Africa, Central and South America, and other parts of Asia, combining his love of teaching with his faith in action.

After retiring in 2024, Ed and Inwoo returned to Brecksville, Ohio, where he remained active in the Korean Central Presbyterian Church (KCPC).

Ed will be remembered by his family, friends, and colleagues as a kind, gentle, and thoughtful man with a deep love of learning, faith, and service. A lifelong reader and student of law, international relations, language, and religion, he also cherished spending time with his family-especially on the waters of Lake Erie, in South Korea, Hawaii, and Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Inwoo Lee Purnell; daughters, Zita Elizabeth Purnell and Rebecca Lee (spouse Sean Lee); granddaughter, Tatum Lee; sisters, Laura Purnell and Jennie Purnell (spouse Petri); and brother, Frank Purnell (spouse Girlie).

A funeral service will be held at Korean Central Presbyterian Church (KCPC), 8220 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141 on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., followed immediately by the burial service at Brecksville Cemetery.

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