Lewis Franklin Pruitt Ii

On September 4, 1961, Betty Joyce Kanell Pruitt and Thomas Lewis Pruitt welcomed their first born, Lewis Franklin Pruitt, II into the world. He was a chubby, bouncing baby boy and immediately became the center of their world. He was a curious, sensitive boy who loved to learn by watching his dad and pawpaw do their jobs at Pruitt Glass and Paint In fact, by the time Lewis was 5 years old, he had learned how to handle pieces of glass without cutting himself, a skill he would employ later in life to make beautiful glass objects. He attended O'Neal school, where he studied hard, made good grades, and was a crossing guard. Lewis grew up in the First Baptist Church where he was baptized, sang in the choir, and was active in the RA's. He was also active in scouting, from Cub Scouts to Eagle Scouts. As Lewis grew up, he could often be found playing with his friends in an empty neighborhood lot, piddling in his backyard, reading and drawing in a quiet corner of his home, or fishing, swimming, boating, skiing, and riding motor bikes at his grandfather's house at Lake Wappapello. Lewis loved spending time with his family, and on holidays and other special family events, there were often large family gatherings at Betty's mother's house. Lewis enjoyed spending time with his many cousins, eating and playing games.

During his high school years, Lewis was active in COE and worked at the glass company. He also took shop classes, where he studied wood working and machine maintenance, skills he would use all his life. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1979. Shortly after graduation, Lewis went to work for his uncle Captain Bob Powell on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. When he was off work, he went camping, canoeing, and hunting for Indian artifacts with his friends. In 1984, he married Joyce Hall, and on September 17, 1985, Thomas Lewis Pruitt II was born. Thomas was the apple of Lewis's eye. When Thomas died in 2007, it broke Lewis's heart, a wound from which he never fully recovered.

Lewis was part-owner and worked at Pruitt Glass and Paint until it closed. Later he worked for Schaller Hardwood Lumber, at West Construction where he operated and maintained road excavating equipment, and as a welder. He also worked at his mother Betty's business, Bee Hive Natural Foods, where he was still employed. Lewis had incredible artistic abilities in all mediums. He made stained glass art, including lamps, windows, and decorative objects. He could etch glass free-hand, and draw and paint beautiful pictures using oils, watercolors, inks and acrylics. Lewis carved images on to thick plastic and made nativity scenes out of English walnut halves and wire. He could macramé tables, chairs, and plant hangers, burn images on to wood and restore antique furniture. Lewis also loved to take photographs and won prizes for his photography at the Margaret Harwell Art museum. There was really nothing Lewis couldn't do when it came to artistic endeavors. He loved to read all genres of literature, and he wrote poetry. Lewis also had a passion for antiques and often spent time combing flea markets, yard sales and websites for unique pieces.

Lewis had a warm, generous heart. He would go to great lengths for those he loved. He passed away in the early hours of October 5, 2015

Lewis is survived by his mother, Betty Pruitt; his father, Tom Pruitt and his wife Debbie; and his sister, Elizabeth Ann Pruitt-Turcotte and her husband, Jason all of Poplar Bluff; three grandchildren: Alanah Jo, Thomas Lewis and Tommi Lynn of Iona, Minnesota; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Marjorie Bascom Pruitt and Lewis Franklin Pruitt; by his maternal grandparents, Iva Gladis Walker Kanell and John William Kanell; and by his son, Thomas Lewis Pruitt, II.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:30 a.m. Lt. Commander Timothy Powell, Chaplain will officiate. Interment will follow at Fairdealing Cemetery with Leonard Browning, David Davidson, Shawn Daggett, Doug Herzog, Lee Kanell and Keith Tinker serving as Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Butler County Missouri Veterans Wall or the American Diabetes Association.