Donald Pruett

Donald Everard Pruett, age 90, died peacefully at his home in Montrose, surrounded by his loved ones on March 23, 2015. He was born April 15, 1924, in Perdido, Alabama to Mabel Havard Pruett and Mac Donald Pruett. He spent his early years in Perdido before moving with his family to Daphne when he was 10 years old.  A proud veteran of World War II, at age 17 he enlisted in the Army and served with the 163rd Engineer Combat Battalion attached to General Patton’s 3rd Army. The battalion landed on Utah Beach nine days after D Day and built tactical bridges for the Allied Forces across France and Germany. Following the war Donald returned to Daphne and graduated from Fairhope High School. In 1946 he married his bride of 67 years, June Elizabeth Bertagnolli. In 1950 he received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama.  After college, he worked for Scott Paper Company in Mobile before joining Standard Oil of California/Chevron Refining Company. During his 30 plus year career with Chevron, Donald’s promotions took the family to Baltimore, Maryland and Cincinnati, Ohio, before his retirement and return to Daphne in 1986. Following his retirement he continued an engineering consulting business until the time of his death. His engineering expertise was well known across the Eastern Shore, Mobile and Baldwin counties. He was a master carpenter with a life-long love of learning and a sharp analytical mind who learned something new every day. Donald was often accused by family members of “over-engineering” many simple home projects. Known for his keen wit and sense of humor, he was an avid story-teller and historian of Baldwin County and Crimson Tide football.  A devoted University of Alabama alumnus; he was a proud member of the National Alumni Association, a charter member of the Capstone Engineering Society, and the Baldwin County Red Elephant Club. Donald was also a member of the Fairhope Yacht Club, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  He is survived by his wife June Elizabeth Bertagnolli Pruett, sister Joyce Pruett Bailey of Mobile; daughter Rebecca (Becky) Pruett of Tallahassee, Fl.; son Donald (Don) Pruett Jr. and wife, Lisa of Daphne; son Dennis Patrick (Pat) Pruett and wife Regina of Atlanta, Ga.; and daughter Mary Elizabeth (Libby) Pruett and partner Cindy Hostetler, of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren: Katie, Paul, Andy, and Michael; and one great grandson, Cameron.  The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.  A Celebration of Donald’s Life will be announced at a later date; graveside services will be private.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: University of Alabama – Capstone Engineering Society onlinegiving.ua.edu PO Box 870200 Tuscaloosa, Al 35487-0200   American Legion Post 199 PO Box 473 Fairhope Al, 36533   ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251)990-7775 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com