Obituaries

Purcell Smith Jr.

Photo of Purcell Smith Jr.
Doctor Purcell Smith Jr. died peacefully Oct. 27, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers Arkansas following challenges with prostate cancer, lung problems and age related difficulties. Despite undergoing numerous treatments for cancer and other health problems for the past 15 years, his recent days have been calm, comfortable, and full of loving family. He had recently celebrated his 63rd wedding anniversary with his beloved wife Joan. They lived in Rogers, Ark., for the last two years. He enjoyed an afternoon with a good book, Joan's delicious cooking, visiting his family just down the street, hearing from family near and far, an evening martini, and a good game of gin rummy. He was born in Little Rock Arkansas to Purcell Sr. and Adelaide (Corley) Smith on Christmas Day 1928. He attended Forest Park Elementary, where he made lifelong friends. He graduated from Little Rock (Central) HS in 1946, Hendrix College in 1949 with a BA in Chemistry, and had been president of his senior class, ranking second scholastically. He attended U of A Medical School, obtaining his Medical Degree in 1953. He entered the Air Force and did his internship at City Hospital in St Louis, Missouri, where he met and married Joan Alexander of Appleton City, Mo., and became beloved by her farming family. He then reported for active duty and they were stationed at a base outside Fairbanks, Alaska for two years where his son Purcell III, was born. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1960. His daughter Cynthia Ann was born while there. They then moved back to Little Rock where he joined his mentor Dr Alan Cazort (who had treated him for his own allergies as a child), in the Arkansas Allergy Clinic where he practiced for the next 35 years. His professional life was marked by his love for and service to his patients. He also served his professional peers with his leadership activities. He was a member of the Pulaski County Medical Society, acting as president in 1974. He was a long time member of the American Medical Association (AMA) and was a 12 year Arkansas delegate to the national AMA Organizational meetings, and was president of the Arkansas Medical Society for 1981. He was also a president of the UAMS Caduceus Club. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and was a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. He and Joan were long time members of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock where they had served as Elder and Deacon. They volunteered in public schools, at The Stewpot, and The Rice Depot. They were members of the Country Club of Little Rock and were avidly interested in golf. He never played as well as he would have liked, but enjoyed the good walks nevertheless. He also enjoyed wine, and smoked an occasional cigar until it became clear that they were not helping his health. They enjoyed traveling, often to AMA meetings, as well as to the beach, or skiing with family. They also traveled extensively with their son, daughter in law, and friends. He was affectionately known as Dandy to his Grandchildren, one of those mispronunciations of Grandy. He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife Joan; his children Dr. Purcell III and wife Susan; Daughter Cynthia, and husband Dr. Thomas Youngblood; two grandchildren: Joan (Youngblood) Dorsey and husband Mike, of Palo Alto California, and Matthew Youngblood of Oakland California, as well as two great-grandchildren: Nora and Ella Dorsey. He is also survived by his brother Morgan, and nephews Mark and Morgan Jr. Smith of Little Rock. Additionally, he will be missed by Dr Gustavo Zubieta, his exchange student ‘son' of La Paz, Bolivia. He will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Rogers at 1901 S. 26th Street, Rogers AR, 72758, at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 31st. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Rogers Foundation, or to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at pda.pcusa.org. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Dr. Smith's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

Published October 29, 2017

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