Obituary: Donald Pruitt

Funeral services for Donald Pruitt, 92, of Floyd, NM will be held at 11:00 AM, Thurs., Jan. 11, 2024 at the Floyd Methodist Church with James Love officiating. Burial will follow in the Floyd Cemetery with Josh Walthers, Shawn Walthers, Jesse Walthers, Lucas Walthers, Jordan Jennings and Aaron Ruther serving as pallbearers.

Donald Franklin Pruitt was born Sept. 7, 1931, in Anadarko, OK, and he passed from this life on Jan. 8, 2024 in Portales, NM. His parents, Maude May (Williams) and Franklin Emery "Bud" Pruitt were share croppers. Don was born at the family home on the farm. He had three siblings, a sister, JoEllen, and twin brothers, Otis and Orin. His time on the farm in Oklahoma was short, about two years. As the story goes, at a month old, Don got mad and insisted the family move to New Mexico, which they later did.

Most of his youth was spent in Springer, NM where he attended school. Following high school, he worked for the State Highway Department, mapping rural roads. It was in Springer that he met and married his first wife, LaVerne. Together they had three children, two sons, Richard and Jimmy and one daughter, Terrie. Eventually, Don moved the family to Estancia, NM where he bought his father's farm. In addition to farming, Don and his sons, Richard and Jim, started Pruitt Brothers Trucking. Don also worked many years as a brick mason, with much of that time in the employment of Cornell Construction in Clovis, NM.

After years of laying block, Don bought another truck and began hauling for Mesa Feed in Clovis. In 1983, he met and married Casey Love. They made their home in Texico, NM. In 1984, Don was hired by Yellow Freight, and he relocated to Tucumcari. He drove for Yellow Freight until a medical issue forced his retirement. After a house fire gutted the home in Tucumcari, and a few other unfortunate events, Don moved to Floyd. It was in Floyd on Oct. 15, 2011, that he married his third wife, Dellia. He like to say that the third time is a charm, and that proved to be true. Dellia has been by his side for the past 12 years, taking care of him through many tough situations.

Don was a member Masonic Lodge #27 AF&AM in Tucumcari, NM. In his free time, Don loved to play music and sing. He played several instruments including guitar, mandolin, bass and the fiddle. He would often travel to bluegrass events around the country. Locally he played with various bands, and he was a regular feature at the Floyd Jamboree for several years.

For the past six months Don has been a resident of Coronado Care Center in Portales. While he was there, he made many friends among both the residents as well as the staff.

He is survived by his wife, Dellia of Floyd, his children, Richard and Sharon Pruitt of Rio Rancho, NM, Jimmy Pruitt of Albuquerque, NM, Terrie and Carl Walthers of Texico, NM, Yantie Love of Portales, NM, James and Kelly Love of Floyd, NM and Shane Jennings of Tucumcari, NM; as well as his many grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brothers, Orin and Otis and his sister, JoEllen Tallent.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales. 575-356-4455, wheelermortuary.net