John P. Purcell and his wife, Elizabeth, bought a four-bedroom, four bath home at 2048 Kingspointe Dr. in Clarkson Valley for $852,000 from Scott Curnel and his wife, Karen, on June 18.

The Curnels paid $785,000 for the property in Dec. 2003. The 4,426-square-foot house was built in 1990.

Carolyn Fox of Coldwell Banker Gundaker real estate was the agent for the sale. The home was listed for $874,900.

Mr. Purcell has served in a variety of roles for Saint Louis-based agricultural giant Monsanto, including a stint as the Global Lead of Scientific Affairs. He has also been the program leader of insect control for Ceregen, a unit of Monsanto.

Prior to joining Monsanto in 1989, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

He received his Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Washington and Lee University.

The Purcells sold their four-bedroom home at 16585 Baxter Forest Ridge Dr. in Chesterfield for $543,890 on Apr. 5.

Mr. Curnel is vice president of business development at Plymouth Tube Company, a global supplier of specialty carbon, alloy, nickel alloy and stainless steel tubing based in suburban Chicago, Ill. He was appointed to the position on March 3.

Prior to joining Plymouth, he was president of Control Devices Inc., a St. Louis-based mid-market valve manufacturer. Earlier, he has served various positions at Devilbliss Air Power, including vice president of engineering, vice president of operations and director of quality.

Home sales in Clarkson Valley are down 26 percent in 2008 versus 2007. The median sales price is down from $607,000 in 2007 to $538,000 so far this year.

Address: 2048 Kingspointe Drive
Buyer(s): John P Purcell (and Wife)
Seller(s): Scott Curnel (and Wife)
Sale date: Jun. 18, 2008