James Robert Pratt

James Robert "Jim" Pratt went to be with the Lord on January 10, 2009 after a brief illness. Jim, the son of the late James Viola Pratt was born July 2, 1925 in Pope, Mississippi. Jim enjoyed his youth in a close, loving family in Pope, Mississippi, having graduated from Pope High School in 1943. He then served with the 245th Engineers Combat Battalion in World War II building and cleaning mines in France and Germany as the Allied forces advanced on the European front. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "heroic service in connection with military operations against the enemy in Germany" and the Purple Heart for wounds revceived in the service of his country. Following his return from the service, Jim attended and graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in engineering. Jim worked for 35 years as a safety engineer for St. Paul Insurance Company in Jackson, Mississippi, Slidell, Louisiana & Houston, Texas, where he and his wife Gwen faithfully attended worship and bible study. Jim served for many years as a deacon and as a member of various church committees. Jim was invloved in mission work of the Baptist Churches over many years and gave of his time and resources to many philanthropic activites throughout his life, including service on construction teams, building churches and homes in the U.S. and in Mexico. He also served as a volunteer at Titus Regional Hospital in Mount Pleasant. During Jim's retirement years, he enjoyed traveling across the North American continent with his friends from Texas Airstream Harbor and taking in the beauty of the country he loved and defended. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gwen Warren Pratt and by his four children, Daughter Lou Ann Pratt McLaughlin and her husband Michael of Houston, Texas, Son, Ross M. Pratt and wife Terri of Mount Pleasant, Texas, Son Edward L. Pratt and wife Lynn of Edmond, Oklahoma, Son James Warren Pratt and wife Alma Doll of Plano, Texas. Jim was blessed with nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Jim is also survived by three brothers, Larry Joe Pratt of Batesville, Mississippi, Hunter Pratt of Batesville, Mississippi and Martin Pratt of Mission, Texas. Vistitation will be held form 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at the Bates, Cooper, Sloan Funeral Home, 2805 South Jefferson, Mount Pleasant, Texas on January 12, 2009 with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, Texas on January 13, 2009. Jim will be buried in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Pope, Mississippi following an 11:00 a.m. service on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at the Pope Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. at Pope Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Memorials may be sent to Pope Baptist Church or Chapel Hill Cemetery Association Trust at First Security Bank. Wells Funeral Home of Batesville, Mississippi in charge of local arrangements.