Gary Pratt

Gary Lee Pratt returned to his Heavenly home August 23, 2022 with family members beside him.

Gary was born May 17, 1945 in Texhoma, Oklahoma to Walter and Dorothy Pratt. Gary contracted polio at the young age of 7 and was in a body cast for 18 months, but that never slowed him down. He helped his father on the farm until he graduated High School and moved to Idaho to become an apprentice mason. Gary loved laying block and has built many buildings in Idaho and in Texas. While in Idaho, he would often drive to the local A&W in his ’66 Super Sport where this cute little car hop would always wait on him. He even told her to take it out for a car wash and a spin one day. She was gone for hours and when she returned there was a smile on his face. He later married that beautiful gal in Elko, Nevada on December 30, 1966. They both resided in Rupert where they were blessed with their first born. They moved back to Texas to the farm outside of Texhoma where he was raised. He farmed there for 10 years where they were also blessed with two more daughters. On May 17, 1971, he had the pleasure of delivering his first-born son in the car on his birthday.

Gary was baptized and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1972 and they became an eternal family in the Salt Lake Temple in 1973. They completed their family with the arrival of their last son in 1974.

Dad loved his family with all his heart and would often be seen camping with them, jumping off cliffs with them, skiing, or farming. He has taught them the value of hard work and the importance of it. He later was employed by Swift Independent where he later was the maintenance planner. Being man of his word, in 1991 they moved back to Idaho. He made his residence north of Rupert where he was very proud of his home and loved to have his family come for visits. Dad was always working on a project and made many improvements on their home.

Gary is survived by his loving wife Pam (PJ) of 56 years, Michaelle (Don Laird) of Hill City, South Dakota, Denise (Brent John) of Lawton, Oklahoma, Krista (Todd Belnap) of Jackson, Idaho, Gary Jr (Donna) of Billings, Montana, and Jared (Cami) of Rupert, Idaho. He is known as Papa to 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be August 31st at the Rupert Stake Center at 1:00 pm. A viewing will be held from 6-8 pm at the Hansen Mortuary on Tuesday the 30th and 11:30 to 1:00 on the day of his funeral service at the Rupert Stake Center.

The family would like to thank the Visions Home Health and Hospice staff for their kindness and consideration during his final days.