He grew up in Ida and graduated from Iola High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He and his father served on the same naval ship, the USS Adhara.

He married Doris “Jo” VanEaton on Sept. 14, 1947, in Kensington. They celebrated 61 years of marriage in September 2008. Mr. Pruitt retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 35 years. He then worked for over 15 years for the Saline County Sheriff’s Office as a process server. He was a member of the University United Methodist Church, the VFW Post 1432 of Salina, and the Telephone Pioneers.

He was preceded in death by one son, Charles “Chuck” Pruitt, in 2000; and a son-in-law, Doug Deisher, in 2008. He is survived by his wife, Doris “Jo” Pruitt, of the home; two daughters, Jolene Deisher, of Woodward, Okla., and Melanie McWhirt, of Salina; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401, with the Rev. Paul Robbins officiating. Burial will follow in Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina, with VFW Post 1432 providing military honors. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the mortuary where family will receive friends 7 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Saline County Animal Shelter or the Telecom Pioneers of America.