Sherman M. Pruett, Jr.

Sherman M. Pruett, Jr., was born February 15, 1923, in Plainview, Arkansas to Sherman M. Pruett, Sr., and Frances Stasta Pruett. He passed away on May 27, 2010 surrounded by his loving family after a brief battle with cancer. He is predeceased by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Lena Pruett of the home; son and daughter-in-law, James and Melinda Pruett of Prague; daughters and sons-in-law, Darlene and Tom Dooner of Edmond, Eileen and Tim Ogilvie of Edmond; grandchildren, Molly Pruett and her unborn brother of Prague, Kevin Dooner of Edmond; step-grandchildren, Jay Dooner and his wife Trisha of Tuttle, Michelle Dooner of Atlanta, GA, Colin Ogilvie of Edmond; brother, Fred C. Pruett of Lamar, MO; sister, Erma Wilson of Oklahoma City; numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Sherman graduated from Prague High School in 1940. He enlisted in the service in September 1942. He was an Air Force veteran of World War II. He was a radio and electronics technician on a P-47 D Thunderbolt with the 8th Air Force 386th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group. Sherman received a Silver Star and a Bronze Star for participating in six campaigns of air offenses in England, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardenes, and central Europe. Other honors received were World War II medal, Distinguished Unit badge, Expert Sharp Shooter, Marksman, French Croix de Guerre and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. Sherman belonged to the Prague Masonic Lodge #209 as a Perpetual Member, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry Guthrie Consistory, and the York Rite Knight Templar. He was a faithful longtime member of the Prague United Methodist Church. On September 18, 1949, he married Thelma Lena Brauer and they moved to the Stasta family farm in 1959. He began working at Tinker Air Force Base in 1956, but his first love was farming. When he retired from Tinker in 1982, he was able to enjoy spending time on the farm that he loved and knew so well. After his retirement, he and Lena attended numerous reunions with his Air Force group and also enjoyed trips to South Dakota, Nashville, and Branson with family and friends. Retirement provided him more time to work the daily crossword puzzle, read, take naps, and tend the garden. He was a quiet man who lived his faith each day and we will miss him more than words can say. Memorials may be made to Prague United Methodist Church, 7901 NBU, Prague, OK 74864. The Pruett family will receive friends on Monday evening, May 31, 2010, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Parks Brothers Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 2:00 PM, at the First United Methodist Church in Prague with Rev. Scott Keneda officiating. Interment will follow at the Prague Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.