James William Pratt

James William Pratt of Jackson, TN, passed away on September 20, 2018 at Brookdale Rosehill Assisted Living in Shawnee, KS. He was just five days shy of his 100th birthday. Jim was born on September 25, 1918 in Reform, Alabama to Joel and Lucy Stanley Pratt. He was one of 7 siblings. He moved with his family to Columbus, Mississippi in 1921. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Treva Burkhalter Pratt. He is survived by his daughter, Janie Pratt Clark and husband David of Shawnee, KS; son, Tim Pratt and wife Barbara of Hardy, VA; daughter, Carla Pratt Smothers and husband Richard of Portsmouth, VA. He is survived by six grandchildren, Megan Clark, Andy Pratt and wife Ashley, Danny Pratt, Lauren, Chelsea, and Stephen Smothers. He is also survived by one great-grandchild, Nolan Pratt. Jim answered his nation’s call to military service enlisting in the United States Army in the spring of 1942. He served in the South Pacific. In September 1945 he was discharged and returned to Columbus, MS, where he met Treva. They were married on October 13, 1946 in Columbus. They moved to Jackson, TN in 1950. He and Treva soon joined First Baptist Church. Jim began working at Consolidated Aluminum in 1955 where he stayed until his retirement in 1983. After this retirement, he remained very active well into his 90s. He worked as a driver for the local blood bank, a greeter at Tennessee tourism centers, and volunteered for Pathways Behavioral Health Services. In 1969 Jim attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. His contribution was characterized by commitment and giving and receiving encouragement. Until the end of his life, he was an inspiration and a true friend to many through his involvement in AA. Jim never knew a stranger; he enjoyed people. He liked getting together with family and friends to play cards. He liked camping and fishing, and simply getting in the car for a drive, destination unknown. His family will receive friends at First Baptist Church, Jackson on Friday, September 28 from 6-7 p.m., and Saturday, September 29 from 12:30-2 p.m., preceding the service. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 29 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Justin Wainscott and Richard Smothers, Chaplain, USN, officiating. A graveside service will follow in Ridgecrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (jacoa.org), 900 E. Chester Street, Jackson, TN 38301, or to the charity of your choice. Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, 731-668-1111 www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com For more information or to leave comments, condolences, or to sign online guest books, visit the funeral director's website or social media pages using the links found here: Arrington Funeral Directors