Gene Pruett

Gene Pruett, 88, of Morganton, NC left this earth on Sunday, February 16, 2015 to join the love of his life, his bride of 64 years, Lillian Marie Swink. He was born on April 1, 1926, in Cleveland County to the late Alford McClure Pruett and Vernia Agnes Towery Pruett. Gene was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII from 1944 until 1946. He served as an anti-aircraft gun crewmember on the USS New York, participating in the battles for Okinawa and Iwo Jima. He then served with the Army National Guard, Co. L, 120th Infantry, 30th Division “The Old Hickory”.
Gene retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation after 41 years of service. He held various other jobs after his retirement because he could not stand to be idle. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a 60 year member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, serving as State Councilor. He was a long-standing member of the Children’s Home Board of Directors. Gene loved fishing and travelling with friends and church family.
Mr. Pruett is survived by his children, Dolores Huffman and her husband, Claude, of Morganton, Barry Pruett of Morganton, and Tracy Fiano of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Jeremy Huff, Dana Newton, Lauren Fiano, and Rachel Pruett; a brother, Robert Pruett and his wife, Jackie, of Morganton; sisters-in-law, Barbara Pruett of Hickory and Dorothy Pruett of Ocala, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Gene was preceded in death by brothers, Buren, Howard, Clyde, and Andrew Pruett; and sisters, Ocie Pruett and Ruzelle “Susie” Pitts.
The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 20, 2015 at Missionary Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Donald Lovelace and the Rev. Al Tinnin officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Sossoman Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Children’s Home, 3844 North Carolina 8, Lexington, NC 27292.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.