Duard L. Pruitt Obituary

Duard Lee Pruitt of New Concord, Ohio December 4, 1925-January 26, 2026

Duard Lee Pruitt, 1925-2026, was born to Duard Lee Pruitt (senior) and Lucy Lee Roberts Pruitt in Crosno, Missouri, the second oldest of seven children (Edith Louise, Charles Harold, Delbert Kelly, Carl Edward, Albert Sidney, and Mary Faith).

Duard attended several country grade schools graduating early from Charleston High School in December 1943. He enlisted in the Navy. The Navy sent him to Iowa State College (now University). Balancing classes and his military service in Charleston, SC, he graduated in 1949. He went to work as an electrical engineer for RCA (Radio Corporation of America, now General Electric) in Moorestown, NJ. While pursuing an Electrical Engineering masters in Philadelphia, he met Alice Bennett (1929-2008) on a church retreat weekend. They married in 1953 and were married for 56 years until her death in 2008. She was truly the love of his life.

Duard worked on radar and missile technology for RCA in New Jersey, the Marshall Islands, and England. He was an inventor and holds several patents. As a retiree, he was always inventing contraptions to make life more efficient. He enjoyed traveling and teaching his kids all sorts of things, including stargazing, woodworking, and setting up aquariums. He consistently encouraged them to pursue their dreams. He was a brilliant engineer, devoted father, and honored veteran.

Beloved children are Donald (Cheryl) Pruitt of Saint Louis, MO, Ellen Pruitt Thomas (Timothy) of New Concord, OH, Evelyn Pruitt Showers (Robert) of Leesburg, VA, and Glenn Alan Pruitt (Christine) of Waxhaw, NC.

Duard has 12 grandchildren whom he also dearly loved: Laura Wentworth (Phillip), Robyn Showers (Ruben), Jessica James (Robert), Kerrie Hrycko (Cory), Collin Thomas, Bethany Van Scooter (Adam), David Pruitt, James Pruitt, John Pruitt, Daniel Pruitt, Mark Pruitt (Kylie), and Theodore Pruitt. He adored his five great grandchildren as well: Evelyn Alice James, Madilyn Kathryn James, Aaron Clyde Van Scooter, Gwendolyn Marie Hrycko and Wesley Oliver Hyrcko. Duard was fondly known as Pop-Pop by both grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitations will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Farus Funeral Home of New Concord. A funeral service will follow visitations at 11 AM.

A graveside service will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the New Concord Cemetery.

www.farusfh.com