Richard Bell Pratt Jr.

Obituary
Richard Bell Pratt, Jr., of Monroe, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the age of 88. Mr. Pratt was born March 28, 1935, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, Buckhead area. Mr. Pratt proudly served his country in the United States Army co-op program. He was stationed in Korea on the DMZ during peacetimes, worked on a 105 Howitzer crew and the crew would destroy the bridge between North and South Korea if the war started back up. Mr. Pratt attended Georgia Tech to pursue a Civil Engineer Degree. He worked for a Fire Brick company traveling to the southeast. He lined the exhaust tunnels of the launch pads 39A and 39B near Jacksonville where SpaceX currently uses the launch pads. Mr. Pratt also worked for Batson Cook Construction as a Superintendent on many projects including Goodyear Tire Manufacturing and multiple Richways across the southeast. He finished with Batson Cook as an estimator in 2004. Mr. Pratts's final career was with Miller Grading as an estimator before retiring in 2007. He married his wife, Linda, in 1972, and together had two children. Mr. Pratt enjoyed the Scottish culture and tracing lineage back to the Scottish clans and attended numerous Highland Game festivals. During his retirement, he and his wife were able to travel and enjoy themselves. They especially loved traveling to Normandy and New York. In his younger years, he played football with friends where Lennox Mall is currently located. Mr. Pratt was a selfless and disciplined man in all aspects of his life - faith, family, and his career. He was a father first and a teacher second. Mr. Pratt was big on having a solid foundation (construction background). To him, a solid foundation in life meant having the right fundamentals in faith, family, and career.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Carole Milton.
Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Linda Pratt; daughters, Marissa Gardner (Timm), Keeva Henderson (Scott); son, Richard Pratt (Neely); grandchildren, Matthew Henderson, Sophia Hunter; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for Mr. Pratt will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, 2:00 P.M., at Gum Creek Presbyterian Church, 2700 Gum Creek Road, in Oxford, with Rev. Becky Baker and Rev. Kerry Duncan officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the church, one hour prior to his service, from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gum Creek Presbyterian Church, 2700 Gum Creek Road, Oxford, Georgia 30054.
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