James Leonard Pruett, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Early, Texas on October 4, 2024, at the age of 85. Born on February 18, 1939, to Lawrence Leonard Pruett and Bertha Lucille Pruett (Sawyer), James spent his formative years in Brownwood and Early.
Beginning his school career at Looney ISD, he later transferred to Early ISD, where he attended until 1954, when he moved to Portales, New Mexico. He graduated from Portales High School in 1957 and couldn’t get out of New Mexico fast enough. Following his graduation, he moved to Lubbock, Texas to attend Texas Tech University, where he majored in physics. In approximately 1960, he came back to Brownwood and attended Howard Payne University for about a year.
Although James did not receive a college degree, his working life was as dynamic as his spirit. Beginning as a young boy hauling hay on a farm in Brown County, he then moved on to his first salaried job at the tender age of 13 as a telephone lineman for the Rural Electrification Administration in New Mexico (for which he had to apply for his social security card for the first time), showcasing an early penchant for hands-on technical work. His diverse career path included everything from tending gas pumps as a teenager to owning Roy’s Drive-in and a portable skating rink in partnership with Lee Singleton during the vibrant years of the ’70s. In addition, he worked at Brownwood Vending for a number of years, installing and repairing jukeboxes, pool tables, and various types of vending machines, garnering him a reputation that spread far and wide.
His dedication to hard work continued at Kohler, beginning on Halloween in 1977. During the next three decades, James advanced from his humble beginnings as a conveyer cast shop cleanup worker to a maintenance foreman, then went on to become a highly respected maintenance technician (known by many as “The Kaizan Man”), embodying discipline, skill, and leadership at every step.
His entrepreneurial spirit, evident in such ventures as the P&P Tractor Implement Company, was matched only by his love of his family. In 1975, James married Teresa Lee Wheeler, beginning a partnership that would produce two children, J.C. (born in 1977) and Laura Pruett (born in 1982). He cherished his growing family, which ultimately included numerous grandchildren and a single great-grandson.
James was not just a family man but also a pillar of the community, befriending and mentoring many, including Jodi Smith, Amy Lorah, and Nichole Neves, and leaving a lasting impact on their lives. His hobbies were as varied as his career, including astronomy, chemistry, scientific experimentation, biking, and puzzle-solving, reflecting a life filled with curiosity and joy.
James leaves behind a legacy not just within his own family but in the hearts of everyone whose life he touched. He is survived by his children J.C. Pruett (wife Mary) and Laura Pruett (husband Michael Sahd); grandchildren Brittani Pruett (partner Tony Griffin), Isaac Pruett (wife Carmen Ball), Geraden Pruett, Chris Ingram, Elizabeth Bagwell (husband Payton), Kathryn Palmer, Darovin Showalter, Erebus Pruett-Sahd, Celeste Pruett-Sahd, and Phoenix Pruett-Sahd; great-grandson Kaulder Bagwell; and his nieces and nephew, Shannon Underwood, Amy Teague, and Matt Lindsay. He was also a cherished former father-in-law to Robert Showalter and Amanda Kirkland.
The inclusion of his name on a CD sent on a mission to Mars by NASA in 1998 stands out as a symbol of the adventurous and pioneering spirit he embodied throughout his life. James Leonard Pruett will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his warmth, wisdom, and the enduring love he shared with all. May his name live on among the stars.
Following a viewing at Davis-Morris Funeral Home on Thursday (10/10/24) from 6 to 8 p.m., a funeral will be held on Friday (10/11/24) at 2 p.m. After the funeral, a procession will lead to a graveside burial at Staley Cemetery.