Neil Pruitt

Neil Pruitt, 81 of Melrose, NM died Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, NM following an illness. He was born June 6, 1929 in Curry County, NM to the home of Walter Pat Pruitt and the former Gracie Thelma Beevers. He attended and graduated from Melrose High School. Neil married Faye Carter in 1948 at Clovis. He owned and operated a heavy equipment construction company for many years in Utah and Wyoming before his retirement in Roswell, NM. For the past 15 years he made his home north of Melrose. Neil was a member of the Melrose Church of Christ and the Melrose Senior Citizens Center where he enjoyed playing dominoes, 42, Horseshoes and drinking coffee with his friends. He loved the Senior Center in Melrose. He also enjoyed visiting with classmates and friends from Melrose High School at the Melrose Old Timers Reunion. Neil is preceded in death by his wife, Faye Carter Pruitt on February 25, 2009 and a brother Keith Pruitt. Survivors include a son, Ronald Neil Pruitt of Lovington, NM a daughter, Sue McCall and husband Howard of Albuquerque, NM; a sister, Peggy Laney Fletcher of Odessa, TX; three brothers, Mickey Don Pruitt of Dallas, TX; Terry Lynn Pruitt of Evanston, Wyoming and Jerry Pat Pruitt of Roswell, NM; Also surviving are six grandsons and 15 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday from 10AM to 6PM at the Chavez Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Melrose Church of Christ. Neil's grandson Brent McCall and Otho Rogers will officiate. Burial will follow at Melrose Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Brent McCall, Scott McCall, Brad McCall, Kevin McCall, Daniel Pruitt and Adam Pruitt. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Albuquerque Christian Children's Home or the NM Children's Home in Portales. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com