Legendary Atlanta Braves trainer, Buford resident Dave Pursley dies

Legendary Atlanta Braves trainer Dave Pursley, a member of the organization’s hall of fame, died Sunday evening, the club announced Tuesday.

Pursley joined the Braves franchise in Milwaukee and moved to Atlanta with the team in 1966. He worked with the Braves until his retirement in 2002.

He began working for the Class-B Evansville Braves in 1951 while he was a teenager and the major league Braves were still in Boston. He worked through the minor leagues and eventually joined the major league Braves organization in Milwaukee in 1961.

During his career, he also was athletic trainer for Clemson University and for the Atlanta Chiefs pro soccer team. He is a member of numerous halls of fame, including the National Athletic Trainers Association, Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society, Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association and the Georgia Athletic Trainers Association.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, who passed away in June. He is survived by sons, Neil (daughter-in-law Beth) and Gary.