Dr. James Farris Pruitt, 92, died on June 12, 2011, at Granville Medical Center in Oxford, NC.  He is preceded in death by four sisters and one brother; his first wife, Margueritte Pannill Pruitt; and his second wife, Wilma Barnes Pruitt. He is survived by his son, Maurice Clay Pruitt, and wife Cathy of Stem, NC; daughter, Carrie Francis P. Younger, and husband George; grandson, Bryan Younger, all of  Falls Church, VA; and  granddaughter, Jamie Younger Barker, and husband Clint of Orlando, FL. 

He was born on July 2, 1918, in Granville County to James Maurice and Roda Carrie Nelson Pruitt. He was a graduate of Wake Forest College (1939) and the University of Maryland Dental School (1943). 

James’ life witnessed his devotion to God and church, country, community, and the natural world through his service and generosity. 

A lifelong Baptist, James served in many leadership capacities at Enon Baptist Church in Granville County and Oxford Baptist Church in Oxford. 

He served his country as an officer in the U. S. Army, both active duty and active reserve, for thirty-six years and retired at the rank of Colonel.

James served his community as a dentist for sixty years.  He always provided low cost service (with an entertaining story) or pro bono work to residents when he perceived the need. He was on call, both for patients and at hospitals, twenty-four hours a day, but he preferred to work from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on most days so that he had time to donate his services to local sports teams or work in his gardens.

As a lover of the natural world, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, flower and vegetable gardening.  He gladly shared his evolution from using chemicals to organic gardening with passersby as he leaned on his hoe.

James Pruitt lived by the values of honesty, integrity, and service to others, leavened by a little twinkle of mischief.  His abundant enthusiasm for life never failed as his devoted family, friends and caregivers surrounded him with love and laughter in his days of illness.

A memorial service celebrating James’ life will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 2:00 p.m. at Eakes Funeral Home, 106 Clement Avenue in Oxford, followed by military interment at Elmwood Cemetery.  Because he loved his flowers uncut, memorial contributions may be made to the NC Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief Ministry, c/o NC Baptist Men, P. O. Box 1107, Cary, NC  27512-1107.