Bonnie and Truitt Purcell are Citizens of the Year

by Blanding Mayor Trevor Olson
Blanding City announces Truitt and Bonnie Purcell as Citizens of the Year for decades of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to the people of our community.
Truitt Purcell has spent much of his life serving the residents of Blanding through his work with Blanding City. His dedication to public service helped improve the community and positively impacted countless residents over the years. In addition to his municipal service, Truitt devoted many years to coaching football at San Juan High School. As a coach, he taught far more than the game itself. He instilled discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and character in generations of young athletes, leaving a lasting influence on the lives of his players both on and off the field.
Bonnie Purcell dedicated her professional career to the San Juan School District. Through her years of service and eventual retirement from the district, she touched the lives of countless students, educators, and families. Her commitment to education, her caring nature, and her willingness to help others made her a valued member of the school community and a trusted friend of many.
Together, Truitt and Bonnie represent the very best of Blanding. Their lives have been marked by service, integrity, hard work, and a genuine concern for others. Whether through public service, education, athletics, church, family, or community involvement, they have consistently given of themselves to strengthen the community they call home.
The impact of their contributions can be seen in the many lives they have touched and the example they continue to set for future generations. Their dedication and selfless service embody the spirit of citizenship and community pride that make Blanding such a special place.
It is with great appreciation and respect that we honor Truitt and Bonnie Purcell as Blanding City’s Citizens of the Year.