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Gerald "Gerry" Pratt, 77, of Viroqua, Wisconsin, met his God and Creator on February 7, 2023. He was born on June 5, 1945, in Colchester, VT, to Raynold John Pratt and Reseda Marion (LaReau) Pratt.
His family moved to Middlebury, VT, when he was 6. He attended Catholic grade schools and Middlebury Union High School, graduating in 1964. He joined the U.S. Navy and served on several naval vessels, including the iconic nuclear powered U.S.S. Enterprise. Gerald served 4 years as a radio man and a signal man. It is said that he chose the Arctic Circle in Antarctica or Iceland as his 'dream' assignments and was given Iceland for his location. He never got to go to Vietnam.
After resigning, he returned to Burlington, VT, and became a city police officer. Then he became a cameraman for the Burlington Free Press and later for the Addison Independent in Middlebury. In January of 1973, Gerry enrolled in Castleton State College (now Castleton University) majoring in Art and Art Education. In January 1975, having turned his life over to God, he enrolled in Dorr Drive School of Ministry in Rutland, VT, graduating in May of 1977 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sacred Literature.
Gerry served in the ministry of the Churches of Christ in Vermont, Maryland, and finally in North Enid, OK. His ministry spanned 37 years until ill health forced him to retire in 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 49 1/2 years, Dorothea "Dodi" Pratt; two brothers, Mark of Naples, FL and John of New Haven, VT; a sister, Jacqueline Downing of Brady, VA; 7 children, April Desabrais of Woodstock, VT, Michael Pratt of Burlington, VT, Jessica (James) Hays of Tahlequah, OK, Tanager (Van) Polowchak of Columbia Heights, MN, Corinne (Patrick) Woodbury, MN, Andrew (Paula) Pratt of Viroqua, WI, and Danielle Kennedy-LaReau of Tulsa, OK. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Norman Pratt; his daughter, Gwendolyn Pratt; and his granddaughter, Bethany Polowchak.
Gerry is lovingly remembered for his love of the word of God, his love of music, baseball, his love of good food (both eating and cooking it), and especially for his generosity. In his final active days, he truly loved and was truly blessed by being able to transport many of his Amish friends to and from work and other activities.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the Viroqua Church of Christ. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 12, from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Viroqua Church of Christ. Additional visitation will be held Monday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Gerry will be laid to rest at the Viroqua Cemetery with military honors. Online Condolences may be expressed at
www.vossfh.com.
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