Roll Call Tribute

Blaine Smith Purcell, MD, JD, DVM 

August 11, 1948 - November 29, 2025 

Dr. Blaine Smith Purcell passed away from heart failure on November 29, 2025. Born on August 11, 1948, in Waco, Texas, he was the oldest child of Graham and Betty Purcell. He lived in Wichita Falls until he was a teenager, when the family moved to Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Blaine was the consummate overachiever with three careers and even more degrees. He earned Eagle Scout at just thirteen. By sixteen, he was appointed a Capitol Page in the U.S. House of Representatives, ultimately advancing to Head Page. Following family tradition, Blaine became an Aggie and graduated from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine with the Class of 1971. He then joined the U.S. Army, where he completed Special Forces Green Beret training and the Department of Defense Foreign Language School for Spanish. His service took him to the Panama Canal Zone. Returning to Washington, Blaine looked for the next hill to conquer and enrolled in law school at the University of South Dakota. He practiced law for a few years in the Washington, D.C. area before pursuing a medical degree at the University of Arkansas. Upon completing his training, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he practiced medicine for many years.

He came back to Wichita Falls in 2006 to be closer to family. He initially worked at Sheppard Air Force Base before opening his own practice, the Institute of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Through this work, he championed naturopathy and was always happy to fill you in on bioidentical hormones—whether you asked or not.

He also believed in serving one’s community. After returning to Texas, he became an active member of First Methodist in Archer City and the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls, and a regular volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He championed “The Road to College” Program at Midwestern State University, encouraging underserved youth and their parents to value and pursue higher education. He was a patriot and a lifelong Democrat — campaigning for his vision of a better America with unflagging enthusiasm.

He loved his many nieces and nephews, consistently nudging them toward paths that would help them get a “J-O-B”—a phrase that has since become a cherished family tagline. Throughout his life as a doctor, he used his skills and knowledge to serve his family and loved ones tirelessly. He loved being our family doctor on call.

He is survived by his sister, Jannie Stewart of Hubert, North Carolina; his brother, Blake Purcell (Cathy) of Fort Worth, Texas; and nine nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Kirk Purcell.

A memorial service will be held on December 27, 2025 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Archer City. Arrangements are under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City.