Michael Dan Pruitt was born on June 6, 1945, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to Dan and Pearl Pruitt. He passed away at the age of 76 on August 23, 2021.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Mike, or “Coach P” as he was known by the many lives he touched, knew how passionate, kind, charismatic, gregarious, loving, and caring he was. From jumping on his desk and writing a G for Geometry Man on his shirt to giving the most motivating Friday night football speeches, “Coach P” was loved by everyone he coached and taught.
Mike graduated from Lawton High School in 1963 and went on to play basketball and baseball at Oklahoma Baptist University. His days not spent getting his degree in mathematics were spent being the quintessential preacher’s kid, pulling pranks like painting the bison and setting off firecrackers during chapel, much to the chagrin of his straight-laced sister, Patricia.
Mike began his teaching career in 1967 at Lawton Eisenhower. Through his job, he met the love of his life, Jeanette, who worked at the teacher’s credit union. They were married December 29, 1967, at Cameron Baptist Church. He was drafted shortly after and proudly served his country for two years.
Mike went to teach and coach at Velma-Alma Public Schools for 26 years and Comanche Public Schools for 21 years. He taught college algebra at Cameron University for 14 years and Red River Vo-Tech for several years. Even though Mike could have chosen a more lucrative path in the oil industry, he chose to educate the youth of small communities in Stephens County, changing countless lives in the process.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Pearl Pruitt. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanette; three children: Tina and her husband, Mack, Jeff and his wife, Shannon, and Ashlie; seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and his sister, Patricia, and her husband, Leo, and their son.
The family requests masks be worn during the service which is scheduled for Friday, August 27, at 1:00 P.M. at New Hope Baptist Church with Bro. Randy Southerland officiating. Visitation will be held at Whitt Funeral Home on Thursday, August 26, 5:30-7:00 P.M.
Online condolences can be made to the family at www.whittfh.com.
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