Mr. Ned Ray Purtle, age 88, a lifetime resident of Southwest Arkansas passed away Sunday September 1, 2024. Ned Ray was born on January 31, 1936, to Ned and Pauline Ray Purtle. He was a member of the Hope Methodist Church of Hope. He has served on the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Board since November 2, 2001. He currently serves as Trustee Emeritus for the University of Arkansas System Board, and on the University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana Foundation Board. Foundation Chairman Purtle invested much of his time, energy and effort into the continued success of the College and the UAHT Foundation. Additionally, he and his wife Carolyn have generously endowed scholarships that are awarded to nine students per semester, enabling a great number of students to successfully complete healthcare programs of study to work locally and enhancing the quality of life for the entire community.
He attended Southern State University and Oklahoma State University in 1956 graduating with a B.S. degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University. Ned Ray owns and operates Ned Purtle and Sons Ranches in Hope, Arkansas. He was the principal owner and chairman of the Board at Arkansas State Bank Clarksville, Arkansas 1988-1997, owner and chairman of the board of Automatic Solutions Inc., Knoxville, Arkansas 1996-2000 and a judge of beef cattle at various state and national shows including five times at the National Western in Denver.
He has served on the Board of Directors for Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation and Mutual Insurance Company; Board of Directors of Heartland Community Bank, Camden, Arkansas; Board of Governors of the Arkansas State Fair since 1957 and Chairman of this board since 1997; Board of Directors for Citizens National Bank, and Summit Bank in Hope, Arkansas; Board of Directors on Summit Bank of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, 2001; He served on the Board of Visitors, with U of A Community College, Hope, Arkansas 2001, and Chairman on the UACCH Foundation. He served as president of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, president of the Hempstead County Farm Bureau Cattleman’s Association, president of the Hempstead County Fair and Third District Livestock Show, board member of the National Cattleman’s Association, American Hereford Association, National Beef Board, Arkansas Beef Council. Member of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.
Ned Ray received honors of The Progressive Farm Man of the Year in Agriculture 1997, Friend of Animal Science Award U of A 1998, Animal Science graduate of Distinction 2000, Special Recognition Award, U of A Department of Agriculture 2001, Honorary Arkansas Farmer degree 2001 and U of A Chancellor’s Society 2004.
Survivors include wife of 65 years Carolyn Barham Purtle, two sons, Michael Purtle of Hope, Steve Purtle (Michelle) of Russellville, grandchildren Makayla Purtle, of Hope, Dr. Ashton Smith (Drew)of Conway, great-grandchild Beckett D. Smith of Conway, and a host of friends.
Visitation will be 1:00pm to 2:00pm on Tuesday September 3, 2024, at BRAZZEL/Oakcrest 1001 South Main St. Hope, Arkansas 71801
Funeral service will be 2:00pm on Tuesday September 3, 2024, at BRAZZEL/Oakcrest with Rev. Marshall Almarode officiating. A private family burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of BRAZZEL/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope. Online condolences: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the UAHT Scholarship Foundation 2500 South Main St. Hope, Arkansas 71801