Joe N. Pratt

Joe Nolen Pratt, Sr., 88, of Victoria, Texas passed away peacefully at home on October 5, 2017, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Joe, a well-known businessman and community leader, will be remembered and missed by many, both here and elsewhere.

Joe was born in Amarillo, Texas, on July 31, 1929; graduated from Amarillo High School in 1947; then attended both Tulane University and the University of Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas Law School with an LLB in 1955.

He met the love of his life, Lucile Dupree Pool, while a student in Austin. They married on May 17, 1952, and remained happily married in Victoria until her passing in 2006.

His six-decade career in the insurance business began in 1955 with the Pool and Hooper Insurance Agency, which became the Joe Pratt Insurance agency in 1981.

He inherited a love of the oil and gas business from his father and was a successful operator and investor for many years, as well as an owner in two petroleum exploration companies. Over the years, Joe served as chairman of the Victoria County Republican Party; president of the YMCA; Chairman of the Board of Victoria Federal Savings and Loan; and chairman of the Library Advisory Board during the construction of the Victoria Public Library. Joe was a lifelong reader and an accomplished artist, and his quick wit and sense of humor will be missed.

Joe is survived by three children: Joe Nolen Pratt, Jr. (Shelley Curtis Pratt) of Kerrville, Texas; Jeffrey Pool Pratt (Kathy Cerny Pratt) of Victoria; and Mary Ann Pratt of Victoria. Grandchildren include Sam Pratt, Charlie Pratt, Molly Pratt, Will Pratt, Katie Pratt, and Colin Pratt. There are also three great-grandchildren.

The family gives very special thanks and hugs to Hospice of South Texas, Dr. Larry Reidel, Dr. Terry Whitehouse, all the staff and caregivers of Senior Helpers, and Hurricane Harvey angels Kathy Pounder and Brenda Labay.

Visitation is set from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 9, 2017 at Rosewood Chapel, with the funeral at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. A reception will be held at Frances Marie’s afterwards.

The pall bearers will be Bobby McCan, Robert McKay, Chris Thompson, Jay Miller, Ford Pratt and George Pratt IV. Honorary pall bearers are Ronnie Morris, Friench Tarkington, Robert Hewitt, James Stewart, Jay Lack and Andrew Baldwin.

Memorials are asked to be given to Friends of the Victoria Public Library, 302 N. Main, Victoria, Texas, 77901, Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Avenue, Victoria, Texas, 77901, Victoria YMCA, 1806 N. Nimitz Street, Victoria, Texas, 77901, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Share condolences at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.