Herschel Leon Pruitt
Herschel Leon Pruitt
August 24, 1925 — December 10, 2019
At home surrounded by family who loved him, on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, Herschel Leon Pruitt earned an honorable discharge from this life. Born Aug. 24, 1925 to Charles Grady Henry Pruitt and Bessie Jewel Monroe Pruitt in Littlefield, Texas, Herschel grew up in a family who moved often and all over the country. Herschel settled in Morton, Texas, at age 15 to finish high school.
Quickly he made friends. But soon his life would change forever. For while driving around one evening, in a car full of young men, having spotted two beautiful young ladies and learning they were on their way to church…the young men offered a ride. In the back seat Herschel was seated next to a pretty young lady named Nancy Hancock. But when the young boy on the other side of Nancy tried to kiss her, and then turning to Herschel and asking him to fend off this forward advance…Herschel, not one to miss an opportunity, kissed her himself. And the beginning of a beautiful love story – 8 decades long, with moments of joy and heartache, ups and downs, and, most of all, unwavering love – began.
Hershel enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 during WWII. And after a brief six weeks of training, he boarded a Navy ship and headed to war. His first post was in the crow’s nest, a lookout tower at the highest point on the ship – known for the amplified turbulence and often making even the most experienced sailors seasick.
His next post was as the personal assistant to the Commodore. He stood outside the door awaiting instructions and respectfully served his Commodore for months. He also manned a gun on the ship with three other sailors, earning a citation from the president for successfully shooting down a Japanese plane. Unfortunately, during the gunfire, he caught shrapnel in his eye and was thereafter declared legally blind in one eye. Within the first year, he volunteered to drive a Higgins landing craft from the USS President Jackson transporting troops to battle and later picking up the dead and wounded.
Petty Officer Pruitt saw seven major battles by the age of 19. Driving his Higgins boat, he witnessed the horror of the Battle of Iwo Jima and the victorious, history-making moment the flag was raised on Mt. Suribachi. During his Navy service, Herschel earned a WWII Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal with 5 stars, and a Philippine Liberation Medal.
A hero, by any account, Herschel rarely spoke of his wartime experiences. Following his discharge, he earned a business degree, but feeling he wasn’t a sit-behind-a-desk kind of guy, he invested his time and talents into painting and remodeling. He became one of the most highly regarded paint contractors in the Lubbock area.
Ironically, Herschel trimmed doors, windows and cut in corners without ever using an inch of tape…because he could paint a perfectly straight line…even with a three-inch brush…even with a hand tremor…and even though he was blind in one eye. Even at 92, alone he climbed ladders, and cut in and painted his own bedroom in his remodeled home!
His clientele included the Texas Tech Library, many historical buildings in downtown Lubbock and countless local upscale homes. He was trustworthy and respectful; so much so, that many customers begged him to return annually to repaint and freshen up their homes…even after his retirement.
He purchased property in Kingsland in 1971 and invested much time in building a home and adding on to it over the years. Herschel retired in 1992 and enjoyed spending his days maintaining his home and 21 acres of land. He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Lubbock and Highland Lakes Baptist in Kingsland.
Through all the hardships of life, he never wavered in his faith in God, nor his devotion to his family. Herschel leaves an amazing legacy of courage, strength and perseverance. He was a man of his word who earned the trust and respect of many.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 75 years, Nancy Hancock Pruitt of Kingsland, Texas; daughter, Carma Le’Ann Pruitt of Kingsland; son, Rev. Rod Pruitt and wife Kathy of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Jon Mac Pruitt of Frisco, Texas; grandchildren, Holly Çağlar of Lubbock, Texas, Anthony Burton of Kingsland, Aubrey Pruitt, Andrew Pruitt and wife Sandra, and Russell Pruitt and wife Bonnie all of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Leigh Balkovec of Corpus Christi; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Dale Pruitt; a set of twins at birth; granddaughter, Teresa Seidel; and grandson-in-law, Tankut Çağlar.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Highland Lakes Baptist Church, 716 Ranch Road 2900, in Kingsland, with Pastor Karl Wallace and Rev. Rod Pruitt officiating. Military honors to be performed by Highland Lakes Honor Guard. An online registry may be signed at PutnamCares.com.
Arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home and Crematory, 145 Texas Avenue, Kingsland, Texas, 78639. (325) 388-0008.
