     “Dr. Puryear”, I would say.  He would look over and listen to my question or comment and then respond.  Dr. Puryear is the most gifted, kind, sincere teacher.  He made learning fun.  He not only taught us the academics and insights of Pharmacy.  He also found ways to make us all feel special and helped us learn to believe in ourselves.  We are all blessed to have been his students.  Dr. Puryear was more than a teacher.....he cared so much that he became our family and friend.  
     I still find myself thinking, “Dr. Puryear” and then thinking of all the things I want and need to tell him.  So I tell him.  Of all the wonderful updates about his students and everything new that we are experiencing in this world of Pharmacy.  
     I am so sorry for the heartache and loss felt by his family, friends, students, and colleagues.  Dr. Puryear is greatly missed and a light in this world for us all.  He is forever in our hearts.  
     



My name is Clarence Roberson and I was his lab assistant at Pima Medical Institute.  I will be attending the memorial services.. I wanted Don and the parents to know so I could share words with them personally if possible..God bless you and the family for John’s loss.. He met and spoke with my daughter about him teaching her how to play Fur Elise.. I am so deeply saddened that words can’t express what I feel for him and my family..

In 2005, I introduced John to  "The Big Apple."  During his visit, we saw several Broadway musicals, including Spamalot and Wicked.  This photo was taken on Sunday, June 5th, during brunch at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. That evening, we watched the 59th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall as guests of Brian Stokes Mitchell.  

John loved New York City, especially Broadway, and he often said that that particular day was one of the best days of his entire life.  Likewise, sharing that perfect, magical day with him is one of the happiest memories of mine, an experience I will always treasure. 

John -- or as many knew him, "Dr. John Puryear" -- was  the Pharmacy Technician Lead Instructor at the Houston campus of Pima Medical Institute. At the 2019 conference for the Career Colleges and Schools of Texas, he was awarded Texas Instructor of the Year.  

John was passionate about teaching, and he considered his position at Pima Medical Institute to be his "dream job." He was a staunch advocate for the great opportunities in the pharmacy technician field, and he loved helping students succeed in the program, earn their certification, and launch rewarding careers. 

(Special Thanks to Diane Smith for permission to use this photo)

 



We laughed and told each other about unpleasant moments and experiences  in a pharmacy environment with overactive patients . We spent 10 years together teaching , training, and mentoring students at 3 different Educational Institutions of higher learning. One of our most memorable, funny, moments was spent at Remington College trying to get a battery charge to his Mercedes Benz from my Mercedes benz and neither one of us could find the car batteries in our car.  A student stayed late  with us after 12:00 midnight and showed us where the car batteries were in our cars. Finally, I was able to give John a proper battery charge to get his Mercedes running so he could go home. We fumbled with the battery cables too and that activity made the whole evening hilarious. Dr. John Puryear was an angel in character to other colleagues and all students that the privilege to sit under his powerful instruction concerning  being a highly competent certified pharmacy technician. He left an indelible impression on my life and a legacy that will always be present in spirit forever. Love you John..

When the night instructor had resigned Dr.Puryear stepped up and not only taught the morning, but night class as well. I was a night student during the 2019-2020 class. Although working all day, he still was in the best of moods. We always joked and laughed as he taught us. There came a point I was struggling financially and was going to quit school. He reached out and encouraged me not to, and to this day I can’t thank him enough. He always made sure we understood the assignments and would go an extra step to make sure we were going to pass the PTCE. Rest easy my friend, you made everything possible for your students. Your passion for pharmacy and teaching was greatly shown. 

I was one of Dr. Puryear 1st year student. I began taking his class this pass February and I really learned  a lot in this short period of time.  He was a very nice guy and I am really going to miss him. He had a loving and kind spirit. My condolence to Dr. Puryear's family.

My name is Michelle Engbrock and my daughter Brie was a student of Dr Puryear this last semester.  Dr Puryear was an extraordinary person with a heart bigger than gold.  My daughter was autistic and was denied in a different pharmacy tech school.  When she started at Pima he took a huge interest in her and he would take her under his wing and make sure she got thru the program.  He even connected with me and we had alot of very nice conversations about him and my daughter.  I've never seen a teacher so kind as he was.  He would call her to encourage her when she was having a difficult day.  When she started her extern he personally called daily to make sure she did ok.  He gave her a couple of gifts to encourage her and to show her he believed in her!  Because of the unique relationship he built with me and my daughter he asked if he could remain part of our lives so he could personally be there if she ever needed something or encouraging.  I told him absolutely, so he kind of adopted her.  He was actually tutoring her before his passing for her certification test.  I would watch them in the classroom at times and they had built such a unique relationship.  We would always laugh when she would text him and he would respond...ohhh Brie you know I hate texting because of my fat fingers, but for you I will do it.   My daughter drew him a picture and gave it to him last month, he was so very proud and told her that he would put it in a frame and put it close by so he could look at its unique colors and patterns just as her uniqueness.  He told me he had put it in his home because it was very special to him.  He and I had many conversations about life and how he was so very proud that he had met her and that he would cherish our special friendship.  He always went out of his way for anything she needed!  He was truly a beautiful soul!  Our hearts are broken when we got this devastating news of his passing!  He will always have a special place in our hearts!

I started Dr. Puryear's classes in February 2021. He was such an encouraging teacher. Every assignment I turned was always graded with a encouraging comment/message. I have never had a teacher that was that invested in his students. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to the Puryear family. The family is in my thoughts and prayers. 

Dr. Puryear taught our son, Mike, this past year.  He was so good at connecting with students, interested in them.  Our son loves phones, so once Dr. Puryear even passed him a phone he used to use!  His enthusiasm was contagious, and he conveyed a love of pharmacy.  He will be greatly missed.
Joan and Gonzalo Gonzalez

Dear Puryear family,

I am so sorry about Dr. Puryear’s death. He was a truly incredible professor who had such an amazing impact on his students. I can’t imagine how difficult this is for the family. His generosity made me feel as if I can achieve many things in my career and I consider myself lucky to have him as a professor. 

I feel devastated knowing I was one of the last person to speak to him on April 2nd. I wanted to let him know that I received a job offer from the compounding pharmacy that he informed me about during my time at Pima Medical Institute. He congratulated me and told me that he would call me later. 

Thank you Dr. Puryear for everything. You were the first professor who took notice of my hard work and dedication. If you saw a student struggling, you wouldn’t put them to the side. Because of you I was able to pass my pharmacy technician certification exam. 

Please accept my sincerest condolences,

Herlia P. 

OBITUARY

John William Puryear

July 14, 1966 – April 2, 2021

Grand View Funeral Home & Memorial Park/Bethany Cemetery

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