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Duke Blackford

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A Celebration of the Life of Duke Blackford, 88, of Purcell will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell and will be livestreamed on the website www.wilsonlittle.com.

Mr. Blackford passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Ronald Dean Blackford was born July 8, 1934 in Walkerton, Indiana, one of four children and a twin born to Forest and Blanch (Naragon) Blackford. He was raised in the South Bend area where he attended school, graduating from Washington Clay High School with the Class of 1952.

Duke served his country proudly in the United States Army. After his service, he returned to school, where he studied Animal Husbandry, graduating with his DVM from Purdue University.

While in school, he met a young lady named Beverly (Voigt) Muncie. She was working for a local veterinarian, and they hit it off from the beginning. Duke married Beverly on June 17, 1966, and two families became one.

In 1971, Duke and Beverly loved their horses so much, they moved to Oklahoma being the Horse Capital of the World, settling on a acreage near Blanchard. They purchased the Hemphill Pet Hospital in Norman, changing the name to Rose Rock Pet Hospital. He loved his work, and continued in the day-to-day operations until medically retiring in 1985.

Duke loved anything and everything to do with horses. They later purchased acreage west of Purcell and have called it home ever since. Duke enjoyed life on the ranch.

He was a gifted musician who loved playing his guitar and singing. He was very much a people person and truly never met a stranger. He will be dearly missed!

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Blackford; daughter, Karen Muncie; grandson, Damian Muncie; parents, Forest and Blanche Blackford; twin brother, Donald Blackford and sister, Evelyn Seggerman.

Duke is survived by his children, Brad Muncie and wife, Nona Elaine, of Valley View, Texas, and Kurth Muncie and wife, Pebble Muncie, of Purcell; sister, Marilyn Smith of Mishawaka, Indiana; sister-in-law, Jane Whittaker of Purcell; four grandchildren, Austin Clouse of Purcell, Chase Muncie and wife, Lauren, of Tuttle, Ty Muncie and wife, Jeri, of Las Vegas and Teah Vest and husband, Will, of Williams, Arizona; seven great-grandchildren, Roman, Wyatt, Crosslyn, Gatlin, Emily, Olivia and Cruz; and a host of other family and friends.

Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.