Leon Douglas Pravitz

Leon (Lee, "Prav")Douglas Pravitz passed away on October 12, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Lee (affectionately known by all as "Prav"), was born August 9th 1947 in Pasco, Washington to the late Diane Ehnat and was raised by his maternal grandparents Florence and Douglas Pravitz. Lee grew up in Orting WA and was a proud graduate of Orting High School. Upon graduation in 1965, Lee was drafted into the United States Army and completed his basic training in Fort Lewis, with his first duty station being Fort Gordon, GA.
Lee was stationed in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966 and following his tour he returned stateside to Fort Lewis, WA.
Lee had been out with his best friend one evening in town and stopped into the local Kentucky Fried Chicken when he locked eyes with a beautiful, tall brunette who just happened to be the manager of the establishment and as they were leaving, he turned to his friend and said "I'm gonna marry that girl!"
Shortly after marrying Leanne in 1971, they received orders to Bangkok Thailand, where their first daughter was born in 1973.
In 1974, Lee received orders to return stateside and he moved his family to Fort Hood Texas, and their second daughter was born in 1976. While living in Texas, Lee joined the local Fire Department as a volunteer.
In 1977 Lee received orders and moved his family, once again, this time to Schweinfurt, Germany. From Schweinfurt they moved to two more posts in Germany (Wurzburg and Heidelberg) before returning stateside in 1984 to his final duty station Dover DE. Lee received his Emergency Medical Technician Certification (EMT) and volunteered at the base hospital.
While in Germany, Lee and Leanne joined a local Square Dancing group and became expert square dancers traveling across Western Europe and dancing at locations like the Heidelberg Castle (on wine barrels), and the deck of a Battleship. Lee loved Square Dancing so much that he got their daughters involved and the four of them would load up the travel trailer and drive to different countries and dance. Lee provided his family with so much travel and activity while stationed in Germany.
Lee had two requirements when searching for a home in Delaware, a good school district and a volunteer fire company. Within a year of being in Delaware, Lee had applied for and was accepted into the Camden Wyoming Volunteer Fire Company where he was a life member. Lee held numerous positions within the company to include President, Ambulance Captain, President of the State of Delaware Ambulance Association and Fire Police.
Lee was a proud member of the DeMolay program, the Masons as a third degree Mason, the VFW of Dover 3238, and the American Legion Post 2.
After serving his country for 22 years in the United States Army, Lee retired in 1988. With Lee's passion for Fire and EMS it was an obvious choice that his first job after his military service was to assist with the development of a local EMS transport company within the city. Lee quickly become involved with helping the local fire and EMS services build such a service thus, MedStar was developed.
If you knew Lee he was not someone to just sit around. He was always on the go. Lee could carry on a conversation with anyone in the room, and he couldn't have a conversation with you without "talking with his hands". Lee started working for Dawson Bus Service shortly after starting with Medstar as a part time/fill-in driver and spent more than 30+ years driving for Dawson.
Lee's last job was 911 dispatcher for the State Police.
After retirement he and his bride took off across country in their fifth wheel RV and traveled the United States, (more than once). Within the last 10 years, Lee and Leanne had become "snowbirds" and spent their winters in Florida. Lee leaves behind a very special group of friends among the Cedar Creek Camping Group. He will miss his FROG Rallies.
Leon is survived by his bride of 53 years, Leanne McQuade. His three daughters, Kelly Spurgeon (Howard) of Clarksville TN, Lori Brown (Matt), Milford DE, Lisa Hale (the late Brian), his grandchildren; Braeden Hale (Rachel), Cody Spurgeon (Kaitlyn), Morgan Brown, Bailey Hale, Carly Spurgeon, Brody Hale and a great-grandson Felix.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Leon on Friday, October 18th from 3-6 pm at the Camden Wyoming Fire Company, 200 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Camden, DE 19934. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Camden Wyoming Fire Company Scholarship Fund.
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