Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Paul Pruitt
Paul Pruitt
February 3, 1922 – July 2, 2018
Paul F. Pruitt, minister, legislator, and devoted husband of Mary Margaret died on July 2, 2018.
Paul was born February 3, 1922, in Shelton, Nebraska. He grew up in Nebraska, Idaho, and Washington, and graduated from Kirkland High school, the College of Puget Sound, and Yale Divinity School. He worked for many years as an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.
Paul’s first call as a minister was to three yoked congregations in Anacortes, Summit Park, and Guemes in Washington. Paul and Mary Margaret went on to serve as a mission co-workers for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission (ABCFM), a predecessor of what today is known as Global Ministries, from 1952-1956, in the Philippines. Paul served in both educational and pastoral capacities, primarily teaching in various trainings and courses for rural lay-pastors.
Paul and his family then returned to the United States and resumed his ministerial work in Washington State. He was active in the Tacoma area civil rights movement in the 1960’s and was one of the initiators of the Seattle food bank programs. He served for many years on the King County Board of Ethics. He was active in the Church Council of Greater Seattle, Washington Association of Churches, Health Care for All Washington Board, and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Paul was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives from the 34th Legislative District, serving from 1977-85.
Paul is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Margaret (Dunlap) Pruitt, and a wealth of family members: Janis and Bruce Pruitt Hamm (Robin and Kevin Hodges; Liam, Sienna), (Kaeley), Cynthia Pruitt and Pat Dickinson (Daniel and Sarah Davidson; Spencer, Avery), (Kristi Randall Scheving and Steve Scheving; Olivia, Rayne, Oshen, Stefan, Veralynn, Dexter), Kathy Pruitt and Mark Collins (Jay), Gail Pruitt and Mark Cherniack, and Nana Mensah and Afia Frimpong (and their children).
The memorial service for Paul Pruitt will be on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Fauntleroy United Church of Christ, 9140 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98136.
Condolences may be sent to Mary Margaret Pruitt, 900 University Street, Apartment 5Q, Seattle, WA 98101. Memorial gifts may be directed to Fauntleroy United Church of Christ, 9140 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98136; the Fellowship for Reconciliation, 225 N 70th Street, Seattle, WA 98103; or Health Care for All, P.O. Box 30506, Seattle, WA 98113-0506.