Gene Pruitt

1949 - 2017

Gene Pruitt, 68, of N. Alameda Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away July 31, 2017 at his home. Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held Saturday, August 5, 2017, 10:00 AM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Terry McKean officiating. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gene Pruitt lived most of his life in Chicago, Illinois. In the 10th grade, he began to financially help his mom with his younger siblings. He had a son Hilliard Geno Pruitt. He moved to Carlsbad and fell in love with the open country side and hot weather. Gene worked in the oil fields since the 70's. He worked for L&E for over 20 years and retired in 2015. He started driving trucks and eventually became pusher. He loved his job and coworkers. They had become his second family. Gene worked with Lisa Rice and Benji Trujillo for close to 25 years and considered them second siblings. He met the love of his life, Joyce Rhoades in 2002, and they were married on July 31, 2004. Gene inherited three children and five grandchildren and one great granddaughter. He was the best Dad and Papa anyone could ask for. He was also a special Uncle Gene to his great nephew Aiden Love. Gene was a talented artist, and many people have a drawing by Gene of their treasured car. He loved drawing for people. He was restoring a 1967 Chevy pickup when he passed. He was most regretful for not being able to finish it. Gene was liked by everyone who met him. He was the most gentle loving man with a heart of gold. He treated everyone with respect, compassion, and kindness. He was well known for his jokes that became stories. He always had a smile on his face and loved to make people laugh. As a husband he was the most tender loving husband and loved his wife Joyce with all his heart. They spent 15 beautiful years together. In the end, he held on to the day of their 13th wedding anniversary. Gene fought cancer for five long years with grace, bravery and thankfulness for those who cared for him while ill. He was preceded in death by his father; son, Gregory Scott Pruitt; brother, Eddie Pruitt and brother-in-law, Ronnie Rhoades. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. He will be racing cars and restoring trucks in heaven. Survivors are his wife, Joyce Pruitt of Carlsbad, NM; mother, Fannie Pruitt of Clarksville, Georgia; children: Hilliard Gene Pruitt, II of Palm Springs, California, Suzanne Garza and husband, Orlando of Carlsbad, NM, Jon Killgore of Carlsbad, NM and Deke Killgore of Carlsbad, NM; grandchildren: Morgan Killgore, Luke Garza, Alex Killgore, Jackson Killgore and Beau Killgore; great-granddaughter, Mackinzee Killgore; siblings: Hilda Pruitt, Barbara Foster and husband, Dale, Rick Pruitt, Gale Weaver and husband, Bobby; brother-in-law, Robert Rhoades and wife, Pamela; sisters-in-law: Jennette Schoenherr and husband, Greg, Kathy Hernandez and Jeanne Rhoades and numerous nieces and nephews. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com