John Allen Pruet
(1924-2003)
John Allen Pruet was born, the youngest of six children, to Ellison Pruet and Ruby (Gunn) Pruet on April 23, 1924 in the Colony community, six miles from Putnam, Texas. After graduating from Putnam High School in 1942, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, having attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He received numerous decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He fought in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe and Normandy.
John married Naomi Lou (Pinnell) Pruet, in 1945. Sadly, their infant daughter, Sylvia Sharlene was born and died on the 23 April, 1946. Their son Michael Alan was born 23 June, 1947. Mike married Mary Caroline Brown and they had one son Michael Terrance Pruet.
Brother Pruet was initiated an Enter Apprentice Mason at Putnam Lodge No. 1047 on December 13 ,1945. passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on March 7, 1946 and, raised to the degree of Master Mason on August 8, 1946. He affiliated with Cross Plains Lodge No. 627 in 1956 and Canyon Lake Lodge No. 1425 in 1990. He served Masonry in numerous capacities, places and stations and was Master of the Cross Plains Lodge in 1960-61. Brother Pruet had an extraordinary memory and memorized the entire contents of the Monitor of the Lodge. Brothers that knew him attest that he could perform all the Masonic Ceremonies, including installation of officers, letter perfect without prompting or referring to the manual.
John joined West Texas Utilities as an apprentice serviceman in Cisco, Texas in 1947. He was transferred to Rising Star as line serviceman in 1948 and moved to Cross Plains as a serviceman in 1951. Ten years later, he returned to Rising Star as manager. He again transferred to Cross Plains in 1965 and retired in 1986.
John and wife Naomi, were also active in Cross Plains Chapter No. 455, Order of The Eastern Star. John served as Worthy Patron in 1956 and again in 1960 when Naomi was Worthy Matron. John also served as Chairman of the Cross Plains United Fund and Director of West Texas Chamber of Commerce. The Pruets were active in the First Baptist Church and were well liked and respected in the Cross Plains community. In 1986 the Pruets retired in Canyon Lake, Texas where John continued as a member in good standing with Canyon Lake Lodge No. 1425.
Brother John and Naomi were survived by Mike Pruet and wife, Caroline of Austin, Texas; grandson, Michael Pruet of Austin, Texas; three sisters, Wilna Mitchell of Canyon Lake, Texas, Earlene Clark of Boerne, Texas and Roberta Isenhower of Putnam, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.
jab 9/3/2003