Wayne Douglas Purcell, 79, of Riner, died Saturday, Feb. 17, following a recent diagnosis of brain cancer.
Born on Dec. 13, 1938, he is survived by his wife, Nanci, of the home; his daughter and husband Tanya and David Graham of Estelline, SD; his son and fiancée Chris Purcell and Caitlin Moore of Rochester, NY; his three grandchildren, Jeremy Lemire of Aberdeen, SD, Beckett and Violet Purcell of Rochester, NY; his three great-grandchildren, Ja’Ayden Branch-Lemire, Jackson Lemire, and Ethan Pletten of South Dakota; his brother Wendell Purcell of Bassett, VA; his sister and husband Bonnie and Charles Allen of Fairfax, VA; numerous nieces and nephews.
Wayne was born to Luther and Lillian Gilley Purcell on a small tobacco farm in Patrick County in 1938. He graduated from Hardin Reynolds Memorial School in 1956 and attended Ferrum College. He then transferred to Virginia Tech, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 1962 and his Master’s in 1963. He earned his PhD in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University in 1967. From 1966 to 1978, he was on the faculty at Oklahoma State University where he taught and did research. He came back to Virginia Tech as a faculty member in 1978. His skills at teaching took him all over the country addressing farmers, producer groups, and financial institutions on agricultural marketing, price discovery, and outlook. Dr. Purcell retired from Virginia Tech in 2005 as an Alumni Distinguished Professor in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department. He loved researching and teaching and tried to make a difference in all of his students’ lives.
Thanks to all of the doctors, nurses, techs, and sitters of Lewis Gale Medical Center, Radford Health and Rehab, and Good Samaritan Hospice who helped make the last days more comfortable for him.
There will be no services and interment will be at a later date in the Purcell Family Cemetery in Henry County, VA. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Hardin Reynolds Memorial School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, Attn Corresponding Secretary, 588 Golf Course Road, Stuart, VA 24171. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home.
