Jarrell Dwayne Pruitt, Sr.

Jarrell (Jerry) Dwayne Pruitt, Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on June 30, 2024, at the age of 90. Jarrell was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, on Augst 26, 1933, to Thomas Orbin Pruitt and Vera Estelle Wininger Pruitt. The life that Jarrell lived is a testament to his family, his God and his community. Jarrell graduated from Corpus Christi College-Academy, Texas in 1951. He entered Texas A&M University that same year (Class of ’55). In 1953 he entered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was released in 1956. Following his deployment in France, Jarrell returned to Texas A&M University to finish his studies. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. He was a member of the Honorary Society Tau Beta Phi. Upon graduating, Jarrell and his wife Brenda Lea Brown Pruitt moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to accept employment with Sandia Corporation. He was employed at Sandia until 1961 wherein he accepted employment with The Trane Company, San Antonio, Texas. In 1968, he was offered a Trane franchise in Fresno, California. In 1978 he sold the franchise back to Trane, La Crosse, Wisconsin. From 1978-1981 he dabbled in a couple of self-owned businesses before returning back to Texas in 1981. From 1981-1984 he was employed at Brandt Engineering, Inc. as Branch Manager of the Houston office. In 1984 he accepted employment with Jud Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc., San Antonio. While employed at Jud he was responsible for design, estimating, and construction of mechanical systems (HVAC, Sheet Metal, Plumbing and Pipefitting). In 1988, Jarrell was hired by Southwest Research Institute, (SwRI) as Senior Facilities Engineer. Jarrell oftentimes referred to this place of employment as his “dream job.” He spent 16 years at this facility where he completed his career. While there, Jarrell was instrumental in the development of the Institutes Physical Plant. He was involved in site utilities, laboratory design, renovation and comfort heating and cooling. He was known by his colleagues for his ready smile, friendly manner and, especially, his attention to detail. It was a point of pride for Jarrell whenever he told someone he worked there. Jarrell retired in January of 2005 but continued to act as a consultant for the facility some years after.

Jarrell was active in his community where he served in Power Squadron; Rotary (North Central Club), San Antonio; Boy Scouts (Assistant Scout Master at Troop 90); American Association of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA); and American Legion, Post 10. Jarrell would read names of those fallen soldiers on Memorial Day and rode several times in the San Antonio Veteran’s Day parade with American Legions. Since 1984, Jarrell was an active member of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church where for many years he oversaw and directed the New Member’s Class. When participants were questioned as to why they desired to become members, all indicated that it was largely due to Jarrell’s ability to connect with them on a personal basis. Jarrell was also the leader of the Stephen’s Ministry program at Abiding Presence where he provided counsel and comfort to those that were suffering a personal crisis.

Jarrell’s journey through life was marked by love and devotion. He married Brenda on July 10, 1954. The two of them missed celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary by 10 days. The adoration that these two had for one another was witnessed by all that knew them and provided a template to their family of what a marriage should look like. The two met in high school and after dating for a couple of years got married. It wasn’t too long after they were married, that Jarrell was deployed to France. Brenda, unable to withstand the separation, and unbeknownst to Jarrell, arranged transportation on a cotton freighter to join him. This put Jarrell in a tight spot as there were protocols in place for having a spouse join an enlisted member of the armed forces overseas, none of which Jarrell had been given the time to do. After Jarrell’s higher-ranking officers simmered down, the two of them were able to spend one year enjoying France and traveling throughout Europe when on leave. Jarrell’s greatest pleasure was spending time with his family. He was an avid storyteller and children, nieces, nephew, and grandchildren, alike, loved to gather around and listen to him regale stories of his childhood and the adventures he had with his beloved brother, Clarence Robert (Bob) Pruitt.

Jarrell was a proud Aggie and was actively involved in Aggie Musters for many years in both Texas and California. He was thrilled when his daughter and husband moved to College Station, giving him another great excuse to visit his beloved alma mater. Jarrell remained mentally sharp until his dying breath, never able to relinquish his engineering mind as witnessed by his nurses when explaining how the instruments they were using could be designed more effectively. It is hard to imagine a world without Jarrell’s loving and patient counsel.

Jarrell was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Pruitt; his mother, Vera Estelle Pruitt; brother, Clarence Robert Pruitt; and various beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Brenda (Brown) Pruitt; his sister, Orbra (Pruitt) White; children, Peri (Pruitt) Scarborough (Bill Scarborough), Jarrell (Jary) Pruitt, Jr. (Leslie Pruitt), Kimberly Pruitt, and Kevin Pruitt (Keely Pruitt); grandchildren, Maddie (Hagobian) Bloom, Max Hagobian, Silas Hagobian, Rachel Freeman, Darryl Belschner, Ethan Pruitt, Maeve Pruitt, Calvin Pruitt, Eric Scarborough and Brett Scarborough; nieces, Sherry (Pruitt) Hurt, Suzanne (Pruitt) Tacconelly, Jessica Stevens, Jaclyn (Stevens) Conrey; nephew, Bob Pruitt.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

Funeral ServiceSaturday, July 13, 20241:00 P.M.Abiding Presence Lutheran Church14700 San Pedro AveSan Antonio, TX 78232

Internment in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will be Monday July 15, 2024 at 2:15 pm