David Ward Pruitt, 73, passed away surrounded by family members in Midland, Texas on Jan. 4, 2020.
David was born in Greenville, Texas on Jan. 18, 1946 to Dorothy and M.M. Pruitt. He is a graduate of Celeste High School, where he was all district in football, basketball and track. He went on to earn a BS degree from Texas A&M University and an MS degree in microeconomics from Texas Tech University.
David started his career in the electric cooperative business at Deaf Smith Electric Cooperative in Hereford, Texas. He continued at Greenbelt Electric Co-op in Wellington, Texas, and then as CEO and president of Cap Rock Electric and Cap Rock Energy in Stanton, Texas and Midland, Texas for 25 years before retiring in 2006. He was a leader in the electric utility industry, making Cap Rock Electric the first electric cooperative in U.S. to go public, then take private, and then sell. During his life, he was an entrepreneur doing many other things, including owning a chain of weight loss businesses and selling insurance, ranking in the top 50 producers of a life insurance company even after 20 years selling his last insurance policy.
After his retirement, he enjoyed traveling, visiting all of the continents and over 40 countries with his wife Pat.
David loved his family, especially Pat. He was an overachiever and lived by his mantra “never give up.” He was faithful to God and maintained dignity, integrity and grace in every area of his life.
David is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Ann (Roach) Pruitt in November 1998; parents, Dorothy Ward Pruitt and Marion Menoah (M.M.) Pruitt. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Patricia Ann (Smith) Pruitt; sister, Janet Evelyn Pruitt; daughter, Jana Alison Pruitt True and husband Spencer True; sons John David Pruitt and Charles Tyler Pruitt; stepdaughter, Jennifer Hamilton Bingo and husband Kyle Bingo; and seven grandchildren: Aaron Patrick Shipp, Brandon Michael Pruitt, Mason Dixon Pruitt, Ethan David Pruitt, Kirsten Rose Pruitt, Peyton Nicole Pruitt and Emma Sakura Bingo.
Services will be held in Midland, Texas on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 at First United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. with a reception immediately following in the Atrium at Petroleum Club of Midland. An additional service will be held in Greenville, Texas on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with graveside burial at Hogeye Cemetery in Celeste, Texas.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Midland, Texas.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.