David Pratt

David Pratt, age 96, of Vermillion, SD, formerly of De Smet, SD, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Sanford Health Vermillion Care Center in Vermillion, SD.
A prayer service will be held at 6:30 PM with fellowship from 5:00 to 6:30 PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Vermillion, SD.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM with visitation held from 1:00 to 2:00PM on Friday, October 24, 2025, at United Methodist Church in De Smet, SD,. Pastor Kris Larson will officiate with music provided by Robin Wallum as organist. Active pallbearers will be David's grandchildren: Dustin Pratt, Casey Pratt, Brookney Delgado, Preston Pratt, Nicoda Pratt, Rylan Pratt, and Kennedy Pratt.
Burial at De Smet Cemetery with military rites by the De Smet American Legion following the services at the church.
David was born in Canning, SD, to William Warren Pratt and Rena (DeVries) Pratt on November 16, 1928. The family moved to a farm east of Esmond, SD, when David was 2 years old and then south of De Smet when he was 5. He attended grade school at a country school SW of De Smet. David graduated De Smet High School in 1947 having taken a year and a half from his studies to help on the farm while his brothers served in the military during WWII. He worked various jobs around De Smet until he was called into military service on January 4, 1951, taking his basic training at Fort Funston, Fort Riley, KS. From there he attended the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA, to undergo parachute jump training, then transferred to Fort Campbell, KY. He was honorably discharged on January 23, 1953. After discharge, he came back to De Smet, and went to work for O'Keefe Implement, De Smet. In 1958, he worked for his brother, Merle's Appliance Business and then in 1972 he went to work for Moore's Livestock Sales. In March of 1968, he attended Western College of Auctioneering, Billings, MT, and when the Moore's Sales Barn was sold, he and his family moved to a farm NW of De Smet, where he farmed.
On September 14, 1958, he married the love of his life, Barbara (Moore) and they had three children: Joel, Mitchell, and Farron. David and Barbara recently celebrated 67 years of marriage. Together, they owned and operated Pratt Auction Service, incorporating their son, Mitchell and family. They enjoyed that business until 2008. In June of 2007, they moved to Watertown, SD, where they lived until June of 2014, when they moved to Vermillion, SD.
David served as a De Smet Township Clerk for 12 years; was elected County Commissioner in 1994 and served in that position until 2002. He was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church and American Legion in De Smet. He was an initial member of the Jaycees in De Smet. He also served on the Kingsbury ASCS Board 1992-93.
David is survived by his wife, Barbara of Vermillion, SD; sons, Joel (Melody) Pratt of Douglasville, GA; Farron (Shellie) Pratt of Vermillion, SD; grandchildren, Dustin Pratt, of Sioux Falls, SD, Casey Pratt, Brookney Delgado and Preston Pratt of Watertown, SD; Nicoda Pratt of Covington, KY; Rylan Pratt and Kennedy Pratt of Sioux Falls, SD; and daughter-in-law, Tina Lawrence of Castlewood, SD; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
David was preceded in death by his parents, William and Rena Pratt, his son, Mitchell Pratt; his brothers, Merle Pratt, Weldon Pratt, Boyd Pratt and sister, Betty Krick.
Arrangements entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com
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