Thomas Pruitt

Thomas Sidney Pruitt was born in Aransas County Texas on March 10, 1940 to Joel Alton Pruitt and Opal Victoria Barnett Pruitt. He lived most of his life here in Aransas County. He married Vergie Jenice Bateman Pruitt on December 29, 1959.

Surviving Thomas is his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, 8 months, 9 days, Jenice  Bateman Pruitt.  Other Survivors: Two Children who he absolutely loved and adored: daughter, Melissa Ann Pruitt ( Husband Samuel) DeMarcus Jr and son, Mark Sidney (and wife Charlotte) Pruitt, all of Rockport, TX.  Also surviving  Thomas (known as “Pepaw”) are his FIVE grandchildren that was the joy of his life:  Julissa Ann Ondrej, Jenice Jane Ondrej (Husband Jose) Castillo of Woodsboro, TX, Gary Alan Ondrej, Jr. (Wife Brittany) of Portland, Elizabeth Rene Pruitt ( Husband John) Sanchez of Austin, TX, Jenna Dawn Pruitt (Husband Blake) McDavid of Rockport, TX.  “Pepaw” is survived by NINE adorable GREAT-Grandchildren :  Blayde Alexzander Ondrej, Thomas Avery Ondrej, Sidney Ann Castillo and Skielar Jo Castillo all of Woodsboro, TX, Gunner James Pruitt of Austin, TX, Bailey Rene McDavid, Joseph Dean McDavid and Mark Conley McDavid of Rockport, TX, Blake June Ondrej of Portland, TX. Three Sisters :  Vivian Alene ( Husband David) Beck of Aransas Pass; Minerva Irene ( Husband Delford) Robinson of Victoria, TX and Neda Faye ( Husband Rev. Cecil) Cox of Aransas Pass, TX. One Sister-in-law , Claudia Domengeaux  Bateman and One brother-in-law , William Wayne Bush both of Rockport, TX.  Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, etc.—way too many to list but please know Thomas always has such pleasant memories to share so affectionately about each of you.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Alton Pruitt and Opal Pruitt; two brothers, Leo Pruitt and Alton Wayne Pruitt; a brother-in-law, David Maguglin all of Aransas Pass;  Father-in-law, Lee Bateman, Sr.; Mother-in-law, Rebecca “Granny” Chambers Bateman; brothers-in-law: Lee ”Buddy”Bateman Jr and Leon Bateman both of Rockport, TX; sisters-in-law, Ellen Pruitt of Aransas Pass, TX;  Patsy June Bateman, Mary Paite Bateman and Margie Bush, all of Rockport; Sisters and Brothers-in-law of Oklahoma City, OK; Irene Dutton, Carlene Clayton and Virginia (Bud) Hicks.

He was a member of Gospel Lighthouse Church in Rockport for twenty-nine years where he was a Trustee and drove the church bus that was the delight of his life.  He loved bringing people to church so   they could hear the Word of God.  He was especially thrilled to see the many children he would bring to church and church functions that they may accept Jesus as their Savior.  He often said he couldn’t preach or teach but he could bring them to church so someone could teach them.  In 1995 he began attending Temple of Praise in Aransas Pass.  Thomas was a carpenter for many years.  He built and remodeled many structures all around South Texas before his retirement in 2006.  He was proud to have been part of the construction of many churches. He enjoyed shrimping, especially when the sun was rising, he said , “Only God could paint a picture like that.” He saw God in everything.  He enjoyed spending time with family from just sitting and drinking a cup of coffee to hunting, attending   children’s activities, cruises and vacations. God and family was the center of his life.