Walter Leon Pratt

Walter Leon Pratt July 24, 1957 - December 30, 2009 Walter Leon Pratt was born on July 24, 1957. Walter left this earth on December 30, 2009 surrounded by family and close friends, knowing he was deeply loved. Walter graduated from Foothill High School in 1975. Walter attended Bakersfield Junior College where he was a track and field star. He attended the University of California at Berkeley where he received his Bachelors Degree in Social Services. While at Berkeley Walter continued as a track and field star and had one of the best times in the nation as a Intermediate Hurdler. Walter still remains one of the top hurdlers at UC Berkeley. Also, while at Berkeley one of Walters most precious memories was when he was able to present Rosa Parks with an award from the university's African American Dept. Walter also attended the University of Phoenix where he received his Masters Degree in Organizational Management. Walter went on to work as a Assistant Director for the Lincoln Child Center, a residential treatment program for adolescents in the Eastbay. From there he went to work for IMPACT as a Program Director. Walter also worked for Solano County Child Protective Services as a Social Worker, Different Strokes as the Director of Operations, and finally with New Beginnings as their Director of Operations. Walter was an intelligent private man with many talents. Walter loved gardening and started his own business called the Creative Gardener. Walter also helped others with their business ventures. He loved the Eastbay, the ocean, collecting antiques, working on special projects and restoring them. Walter enjoyed writing, music, art, working out, bicycling, fishing, nature, helping people, his weekly hair cut, having conversations about politics and worldly events. He was especially fond of spending time with his family and close friends. Walter did things in his own unique way. He was very caring and spent a lifetime working on the behalf of people with special needs. Walter had a special gift and ability to understand the needs of the people he supported. His calm demeanor and gentle approach was admired by his coworkers. Walter was proud of his Mississippi roots, his family history and legacy. Walter believed strongly in the importance of a good education and was proud of his children's academic accomplishments. Most of all, Walter was a devoted father and was dedicated to the upbringing of his children. He was loved by many, will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Walter is survived by his wife, Dianne Murray; daughters, Jazmin and Simone Pratt; mother, Josephine Pratt; brother, Jimmy Lee Pratt, Jr.; sisters, Dorothy Morgan, Mary Martinez, and Sandra Conner; brother-in-law, Morris Morgan; niece, TyRaesha Rideau; nephew, Douglas Morgan; best friend, Mike Farmer; six aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Walter is preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Lee Pratt, Sr. A memorial service will be held at Bryan Braker Funeral Home, 1850 West Texas Street Fairfield, CA 94533 on January 7, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. Please join us in celebrating his life. www.bryanbraker.com Bryan-Braker Funeral Home (707) 425-4697

This obituary was originally published in the Bakersfield Californian.