Jesse Thomas Pruett Jr.

Jesse "Tommy" Thomas Pruett, Jr. of Conway, Arkansas, went to be with our Lord on May 22, 2024, at the age of 75. Tommy was born to Jesse Thomas Pruett, Sr. and Martha Ella Thomas Pruett on Jan. 23, 1949, in Conway, Arkansas. He was a beloved husband, father, Grampy, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Sandra Parnell Pruett, of 51 years, nine months and 12 days; his children, Ashley Nilssen (Edgar), Chad Tommy Pruett (Kristen); grandsons, Levi Pruett and Michael Tommy Pruett; siblings, Martha Gross and Mary Talaie (Al); many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Martha Pruett; brother-in-law, Kenneth Gross; sister-in-law, Cindy Pruett; two life-long friends, Wayne "Dub" Sowell and Jack Lawrence.

Tommy attended Liberty and Vilonia Schools where he excelled in agriculture studies. He was a farmer and heavy equipment operator. He met the love of his life, Sandra G. Parnell, while she was attending college in Conway. They were wed in 1972 and settled in Sandra's hometown of Osceola, Arkansas, where they farmed in the Delta. They moved back to Conway to raise their children in 1982. Tommy started working for the Faulkner County Road Department where he retired after more than 30 years, most of that time as a road grader operator.

Tommy enjoyed working on his farm, being outside, driving his Gator with his beloved Blue Heeler, Tuffy, feeding his cows, bailing hay, hunting, fishing, listening to and watching cowboy shows and songs and especially spending time with family and friends. If there was ever a get together involving food, you could count on him to do the cooking, whether it was frying fish or cooking a sausage breakfast for the entire county road shop. He never met a stranger, had a quick wit, was a captivating storyteller, knew the value of hard work and was always proud of a job well done. Tommy could fix or build nearly anything he set his mind to. He liked to joke that "it was hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way," but in reality, he was as humble as they come. Tommy will be sorely missed by all who knew him.