MONTROSE — Neil Eugene Pratt passed away Feb. 12, 2009 from a heart attack at Montrose Memorial Hospital. He was born Sept. 15, 1942 to loving parents, Lehi Jones Pratt and Doris Carmen Hatfield in Pocatello, Idaho. He graduated from Aberdeen High School and continued his education at Brigham Young University where he earned a BA Degree in Youth Recreation and a Master of Arts in Continuing Education.
In 1961, he was called to serve a mission for The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Hawaii. There he served for two years and loved the Hawaiian people.
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On Sept. 14, 1984, Neil married Joanne Kalisciak, his best friend and the love of his life. They had two children.
Neil’s career began in the LDS Church Education System, where he was the Seminary/Institute Teacher and Director. He worked for the Cancer Society and the Boy Scouts of America as an Executive Director. Later he worked for his brother at Pratt Medical. At the time of his passing, he was the Executive Director for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for five counties.
As member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Neil served in many capacities: including a member of the Bishopric; Stake Mission Presidency; High Priest Group Leader; Gospel Doctrine Teacher; and was currently serving a Church Service Mission with his wife, Joanne, as Group Leaders for the Addiction Recovery Program. He was a beloved Scriptorian who loved missionary work and service. He was an Eagle Scout and had earned three palms and strongly supported the Scouting Program.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lehi Jones Pratt, and brother, Darin Dean Pratt. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; his mother, Doris of Aberdeen, Idaho; one brother, Gary Pratt, Aberdeen, Idaho; one sister, Annie Eccher, Blackfoot, Idaho. He is also survived by 13 children: Patricia (Ron) Jones, Wasilla, Alaska; Carmen (Russell) Hardy, Long Island, N.Y.; Stephen (KariAnn) Pratt, Pocatello, Idaho; Brian (Lisa) Pratt, Springville, Va.; Rachel (Randy) Kidman, St. George, Utah; Becky (Matt) Jarman, Salt Lake City, Utah; Christy (Aaron) Florence, East Rockaway, N.Y.; Joseph (Heather) Pratt, Yelm, Wash.; Jessica (Steven) Lathen, Sahaurita, Ariz.; and Andrew Pratt, Montrose, Colo. Neil also had three step-children: Adam (Angie) Burden, Ogden, Utah; Nathan Burden, Montrose, Colo.; and Elizabeth (Michael) Schatz, American Fork, Utah. He was blessed to have 42 grandchildren.
Neil was an intelligent, innovative, hard working man who delighted in sharing his knowledge with others. His hobby was to tinker around with cars, and he loved to discover how things worked so he could fix them. His love, support, curiosity, kindness and service will be sorely missed.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at 10 a.m., in the LDS Delta Chapel, 1679 Pioneer Rd., Delta.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, at Taylor Funeral Service, 800 Palmer St., Delta. A visitation will also be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at the Delta LDS Chapel. Burial will be in the Aberdeen Cemetery in Aberdeen, Idaho, Feb. 21, 2009.
Condolences may be sent to Taylor Funeral Service or a contribution may be made to the LDS Missionary Fund in care of Bishop Kevin Pulsipher, 1213 Sunrise Dr., Delta, CO 81416.
View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com.
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