Russell Pruitt,

August 31, 1927 - December 15, 2011

Russell C. Pruitt, Sr., age 84, Foundry Owner, Financial, Business, Real Estate, Entrepreneur, Civil Leader, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at his residence in Damascus, Virginia. Mr. Pruitt was a native of Washington County, Virginia and attended school at the Damascus Rock School. He worked at the U.S. Navy Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia in the early World War II years, and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II and the Korean War on USS Prevail, a minesweeper at Okinawa with Kamikaze attacks, and the USS Willard Keith, a destroyer. Mr. Pruitt received his education at Fenn College, now known as Cleveland State University and Western Reserve University. He was active in Civic Organizations working mostly with young people. As Jaycee V.P., youth activities, Kiwanis Club Chairman of youth activities, Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors working with youth programs, Junior Achievement Advisor, Cub Scout Committee Chairman, Cub Master and Boy Scout Leader. Mr. Pruitt served as Chairman of the Board for the Black River Ohio Board of Education, and was a member of the Sheffield Lake, Ohio City Council. Mr. Pruitt retired as Worldwide Financial Controller from TRW Nelson with plants in U.S.A., Canada, England, Germany, and France. In 1980, after 28 years, he began investing and working in Bronze foundries as part owner and V.P. Operations of Sheidow Williamsburg Bronze in Kingwood, West Virginia. He was listed as an Entrepreneur in Who’s Who in the Midwest. He next became part owner President and CEO of Oregon Brass Works in Portland, Oregon. Then he purchased Endura Bronze in Miami, Florida. He was Director, President, and CEO of that company. Mr. Pruitt sold that company and became Worldwide Manager of mfg and engineering for Matthews Intl. with plants in Pittsburg, PA, Sun City, CA, Searcy, AR, Canada, and Australia. In 1990, Mr. Pruitt returned to his horse and cattle farm in Wellington, Ohio where he had operated with his family since 1964. Mr. Pruitt was a licensed Real Estate agent, and had real estate investments in Ohio, Virginia, Miami Lakes, Florida, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kingwood, West Virginia, and Portland, Oregon. He also owned Family Hair Care Centers in Lorain and Wellington, Ohio. Mr. Pruitt returned to Damascus, Virginia in 2010. He set up the Pruitt Family Trust for the Education of his grandchildren. He chose to spend his senior years with his early friends in Damascus, a town and people he loved. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 9830 and American Legion Post 61, Mountain City, Tennessee. Mr. Pruitt was preceded in death by his father, R.M. Pruitt, and mother, Pearl (Osborne) Pruitt of Damascus; brothers, Herbert Pruitt, Harold Pruitt, Preston Pruitt, and Conley Pruitt; sisters, Edna Dennison, Edythe Royston, and Louisa Poe; son, Daniel Pruitt; and his devoted wife, Clarice (Furches) Pruitt. He is survived by his sons, Russell Pruitt, Jr. and Mark Pruitt; his daughter, Phyllis Parks; his sister, Hazel Forrester; granddaughters, Christina Lababidi, Jennifer Santos, Regina Pruitt, Kelly Pruitt, Kimberly Pruitt, and Holly Pruitt; grandson, Brian Pruitt; great granddaughter, Deanna Lababid; and great grandsons, Michael Parks and Adam Lababidi. Mr. Pruitt was a devoted Christian. He loved his neighbors and the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart. The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. Monday, December 19, 2011 in the Riverview Chapel at Garrett Funeral Home with Pastor Christi Taylor officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus, Virginia with military graveside rites conducted by the Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and Virginia National Guard Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:45 P.M. Monday prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to the family and a memorial video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mr. Pruitt and his family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Avenue, Damascus, VA 24236, ph.#: 276-475-3631.