John Dozier Pruitt passed away peacefully November 9, 2018, at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla., surrounded by his family.
He was born December 10, 1934 in Troup County, Ga. and lived in Atlanta and surrounding areas until he moved to Fernandina Beach in 1974.
John served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. He was a true patriot and was recognized for his service, along with several other Nassau County veterans, in 2015 by U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw. After being honorably discharged from the USAF, he spent many years as a long-distance truck driver before retiring in 1992. He and his wife, Alma, owned Pruitt Realty & Rentals, where they managed numerous rental properties during the 1980s and 1990s. He later worked for Nassau County in the Tax Collector’s Office and the Property Appraiser’s Office.
John was generous with his time and talents. During his lifetime, he volunteered in several organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Nassau County Mental Health Alliance. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon. He was also a Mason and a Shriner. An avid outdoorsman, he loved boating, fishing, horticulture and all animals, especially dogs. John also loved classic country music and made many trips to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. However, his greatest joy in life came from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John was predeceased by his parents, Zan and Annie-John Pruitt; his brother, Prentice Pruitt; and grandsons, John Curtis “JC” Page and Christopher Moody.
He is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Alma; three daughters, Kimberly (David) Page of Fernandina Beach, Laree (Sonny) Moody of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and Patricia Pruitt of Fernandina Beach; and grandchildren, Annie (Austin) Barnhill of Fernandina Beach, Laura Page of Fernandina Beach, Samantha Moody of Rockledge, Fla., Michael Moody of Richmond, Va., Ashley (Michael) Peeples of Yulee, Fla., Sarah Simmons of Yulee, and Halie (Christian) Boetcher of Lewis Port, Ky. He also leaves behind two brothers, Gene Pruitt and Jerry Pruitt, both of LaGrange, Ga.; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m. December 8, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach, with a reception following in Jim Thomas Hall.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either of the following: Community Hospice or First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors