Richard Gale Pruett, Sr.

View Video Tribute Richard Gale Pruett, Sr., 81, of rural Montrose, IA, died Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at his home. He was born on August 13, 1924 in Chambersburg, MO, the son of Kester Victor and Vera Beatrice Dooley Pruett. He married Corrine Johnson on September 13, 1947 in Farmington, IA. She preceded him in death on September 1, 1981. He married Goldie V. Smith on May 14, 1983 in Montrose, IA. She survives. He is also survived by two sons, Richard "Rick" Gale Pruett, Jr, and his wife Debbie of Kahoka, MO, and Larry Mixer and his wife Angel of Ft. Madison, IA, two daughters, Roxie Pruett of Montrose, IA and Marilyn K. Holmes and her husband Butch of Ft. Madison, IA, twelve grandchildren, Jackie, Josiah, Micah, Joshua and Tara Pruett, Elisha Pruett and his wife Sara, Brian Moeller and his wife Ann, Christy Gilpin, Andy Holmes, Storm Pina, Jamie Alexander and Dakota Mixer, ten great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Evonne McKinney and her husband Junior of Molton, IA, two brothers, Harold Pruett and his wife Pat of Niceville, FL and James Pruett and his wife Luann of Ft. Madison, IA, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bernard Pruett and one great-grandson, C.J. Gilpin. Richard was a veteran of the United States Navy and proudly served his country during WW II. He had been employed at DuPont in Ft. Madison, IA for thirty-five years, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the International Machinist and Aerospace Union, and was a member and past-president of the Donnellson Saddle Club. He enjoyed being outdoors, going camping, working in his garden and farming. He raised horses and liked to take them out on trail rides. He loved to travel throughout the United States and view the beauty of the country. Richard was a talented musician and played the guitar. He played for the DEC Hands of Donnellson, IA and also offered his talent at several fundraisers in the area. His favorite music was bluegrass and country and western. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and treasured the times he was able to spend with his family. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Reverend Bill Willis officiating. Burial with military rites was in the Sunset Memorial Park in Keokuk, IA. Memorials may be made to the Keokuk Area Hospital Emergency Room, the American Cancer Society or Lee County Hospice.