George A. Purnell was born and raised in Vincennes, Indiana. In 1971, George graduated from DePauw University. George went on to complete graduate work in public administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning the degree of Master of Public Administration in 1973.

George worked for the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs for 12 years. While working at IU in Indianapolis, George attended Christian Theological Seminary, graduating in 1986 with the Master of Divinity.

In 1987, George was ordained a United Methodist Deacon, and in 1989 he was ordained a United Methodist Elder.

George served three congregations between 1987 and 2011: the Pittsboro UMC, Evansville Aldersgate UMC, and Bloomington First UMC. From 2011 to his retirement June 30th 2016, George served as the Superintendent of the Southwest District in the Indiana Annual Conference.

George was awarded honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees from the University of Indianapolis in May 2005 and from DePauw University in May 2008. He was the commencement speaker at the University of Indianapolis in 2005.

George has four adult children, two sons and two daughters. He lives in Evansville with his wife, Joyce.