Brigadier General James Pruitt (Veteran)

Brigadier General James L. Pruitt (Ret.), 68, of Holts Summit, Mo., passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, Mo. He was born April 3, 1943, in Lebanon, Mo., a son of the late Clifford C. and Imo F. (Carroll) Pruitt. He was a 1961 graduate of Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Mo., and went on to graduate in 1986, from Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. On July 27, 1989, he was united in marriage to Patricia "Pat" A. Baker, who survives at their home. James was a veteran of the United States Army, and served all over the United States. He was with the Missouri Army National Guard from 1962 until his retirement in 2002. After retiring from the Missouri Army National Guard, he was a farmer in the Holts Summit area. He was a member of the Missouri Army National Guard Association. James enjoyed fishing, target shooting, and spending time with his family. Along with his wife Pat, James is also survived by three sons: James M. Pruitt (wife Debbie) of St. Elizabeth, Mo.; Michael B. Pruitt (wife Laura) of Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.; Gregory A. Pruitt (Sandy) of Jefferson City, Mo.; two step-daughters: Jennifer A. Markway (husband Jeff) of Holts Summit, Mo.; Jessica L. Geldner (husband Mike) of Fulton, Mo.; three brothers: Clifford C. Pruitt Jr. of Graham, Texas; Richard D. Pruitt of Chelsea, Okla.; Bobby G. Pruitt of Lebanon, Mo.; one sister: Barbara J. Massey of New Melle, Mo.; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Clifford and Imo Pruitt; and one sister: Sharon K. Oursborne. Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 13, 2012, at the Slater-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Holts Summit. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, January 14, 2012, at the Slater-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, with Chaplain Gary Gilmore of the Missouri National Guard officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Summit Memorial Park Cemetery in Holts Summit. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Missouri National Guard Foundation, 213 East Capitol Avenue (Suite 1), Jefferson City, MO 65101. Arrangements are under the direction of SLATER-MILLARD Family Funeral Chapel, 540 South Summit Drive, Holts Summit, MO 65043. (573) 896-5959. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com.