James N. Pruitt, age 79, of Gatesville, passed away Friday, January 18, 2013, at a Waco hospital.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2013, at Scott’s Funeral Home with private family burial following.

James was born on June 25, 1933, in the Turnersville Community to the late James Samuel Pruitt and Ella Faye Dollins Pruitt. He grew up in Turnersville and graduated from Turnersville High School in 1950. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged after two years of service. James married Betty Ann Dyer on June 8, 1953, and resided in Tacoma, Washington, Waco, Texas, and for the last 28 years in Gatesville, Texas. He was a member of Beverly Hills Baptist Church. James retired from General Tire in 1986. Since that time, he spent his time farming and ranching in the Plainview area.

Survivors include his wife Betty; a daughter, Kathy Ann Reagan and husband, Lesslie, of Gatesville; a granddaughter, Amanda Kay Fulton and husband, Donnie, of Gatesville; three great-grandchildren, James Aaron Cox, Theran Marshal Fulton and Bailee Kay Fulton; and a nephew, Randal Haferkamp of Gatesville.