Forest A. J. Pruitt

Forest A. Pruitt, born July 5, 1922, entered into rest on July 27, 2009. He was one of five children of Henry Pruitt and Treva Coyner Pruitt. Forest grew up on a farm near Cushing, OK, and graduated from Cushing High School. At the age of twenty, he was drafted into the US Army and fought with the 552 Bn. as an anti-aircraft gunner in the European Theater during WWII. He was in the second wave at Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Forest was one of the first soldiers across the bridge at Remagen and one of the liberators of Paris. He was a survivor of all five major battles in Europe. When the war was over, Forest served three months in the occupational forces in Germany. At the time of his discharge, he was a Master Sergeant. He earned five bronze stars and numerous other medals for his service. Forest was a proud member of the Disabled Veterans of America. Forest married Helen F. Harp (Frankie) in 1942 and they had a son, Jim, born before Forest shipped out. His youngest son, Dave, was born after his return. He worked at numerous jobs but was most known for being a home builder. In 1970 he was named Home Builder of the Year by the South OKC Home Builders. He retired in 1990 and settled on an acreage to raise cattle and hay. Forest was a long time active member of the Church of God (Seventh Day) of Shawnee, OK. He and Frankie traveled extensively throughout the world and had many slides and stories to share. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; sister, Estelle, and brother, H.T. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Frankie; son, Jim, and wife, Norma, of Jasper, AR; son, Dave, and wife, Ruthray, of OKC; grandchildren: Stephanie Overman and husband, Jason, of Jasper, AR; Denise Batsel and husband, Michael, of Keller, TX; Justin Pruitt and wife, Amy, of New Braunfels, TX; and Jeremy Pruitt of Norman, OK; great grandchildren: twins, Michael and Madison Batsel and twins, Isaac and Tabitha Overman; sister, Joanne Cargill, and husband, John Albert, of Cushing, OK; brother Bob Pruitt, of OKC; numerous nieces and nephews; close church members and friends. He died as he lived, strong willed and with humor. He will be missed by many. Many thanks to the Excell Hospice staff for their loving and compassionate care for Forest during his illness. The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday, August 3, 2009, at the Sunny Lane Funeral Home for those who wish to pay their respect. Forest's funeral service will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at the Sunny Lane Chapel with interment following at Resthaven Memory Gardens.