Michael Joseph Pratt

Michael Joseph Pratt, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Raleigh, NC, on June 3rd. He is survived in his immediate family by son Shay (Krista), daughter Michelle (James), grandsons Emmett, Miles and Tatum Huff, and brother Harrell.

Michael graduated from Suffolk High School (‘62), North Carolina Wesleyan College (‘66), and Old Dominion University. Michael’s career as an educator and coach spanned five decades. He began his career teaching and coaching at Suffolk High School and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. He then held several administrative positions at Hampton Roads Academy, Norfolk Academy, and Cape Henry Collegiate.

Michael went on to serve as headmaster of several private schools, including Fayetteville Academy (NC), Jackson Prep (MS), Hilton Head Prep (SC), Low Country Day School (Pawley’s Island, SC), Rocky Mount Prep (NC), and AGBU Manoukian High School (Pasadena, CA). He also served as Vice President of Advancement at North Carolina Wesleyan. Michael received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2012, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor for his contributions to secondary education.

Michael married Barbara Denning on June 16, 1978, in Virginia Beach. “The Barb” was his favorite person in the world. He told her daily she was “the light of my life and the essence of my being.” Michael adored his family. He worked with Barbara to give Shay and Michelle the richest and happiest of childhoods. He was always ready to dispense wisdom and guidance to his children and grandchildren (sometimes they even listened). He could often be heard bragging about Shay and Michelle, often to their embarrassment. He loved spending time with his family at “Due East,” his special place in Kill Devil Hills, NC. He always made time for his extended family on any occasion, believing in the importance of celebrating life and relationships.

Michael was a lifelong learner. He was a voracious reader of nonfiction, history, and current events, always trying to make sense of the world. He was immensely proud of his personal library, which represented his ongoing commitment to grow, understand, and discover personal insights.

Michael loved sports. He played point guard for the North Carolina Wesleyan Bishops basketball team, where he was named team MVP and outstanding athlete of the year. He coached Michelle in elementary school soccer and basketball. In later years, he could always be found on the sidelines watching his grandsons play. He called his children often with the greeting, “how ‘bout them Tar Heels!”

Michael was a people person. He could talk to any stranger and quickly learn their life story. He regularly made strangers into acquaintances, acquaintances into friends.

Michael is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his mother Angelina, his father Harrell, and a pantheon of beloved dogs.

A ceremony and reception will be held at Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Virginia Beach, VA, on June 16th at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the ASPCA or Sarcoma Foundation of America