Rex Pruitt

Augusta, GA---Mr. Edward Rex Pace Pruitt, age 89, died Monday, December 21, 2009 at his residence.

Graveside services and interment will be held, today Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 3:00 pm, at Westover Memorial Park with Dr. R. Leslie Holmes officiating.

Mr. Pruitt, son of the late Joseph Reid Pruitt and the late Lorena Pace Pruitt, was born January 8, 1920 and reared in Smyrna, Georgia and was a 1937 graduate of Marietta High School. He attended North Georgia Junior College in Dahlonega, Georgia and in 1941 he received a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1957 he became a member of the American Institute of Interior Designers and in recognition of his services in the field of interior design, Parson School of Design, New York, elected him and honorary alumnus.

During World War II, Chief Warrant Officer Pruitt served in the European Theater with the 158th Combat Engineer Battalion, which landed on Utah Beach on June 27, 1944. During the Battle of the Bulge his battalion distinguished itself on the night of December 17, 1944, east of Bastogne, by holding back a German juggernaut until relieved on December 19th by the 101st Airborne. Mr. Pruitt was reassigned from his Combat Engineer Battalion to duty in the Engineering Section Headquarters, FIRST UNITED STATES ARMY.

On June 3, 1945, the troopship Monticello, with the FIRST ARMY insignia, “A”, draped over its side, entered New York harbor; whistles and sirens and horns of all harbor craft blared and the playing of bands created an unbelievable noisy welcome to the very first returning European veterans, from a deck on the Monticello, Mr. Pruitt witnessed this not ever to be forgotten, heartwarming tribute and homecoming experience. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal and received in 2005 from the Consulate General of France a certificate of gratitude from the Government. Prior to coming to Augusta in 1959, Mr. Pruitt was an employee of Rich’s Inc., in Atlanta. He served as a buyer, for the Connoisseur Gallery, his duties in that position, involved European market trips and he was also Director of the Interior Decorating Department. Mr. Pruitt, aided by his wife, Jeanne Johnson Pruitt, opened an interior design studio, in Augusta in 1961. This business ceased operation, at the time of their retirement, 22 years later.

Mr. Pruitt was a member of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, a former member of the Augusta Country Club, a former member of the Commerce Club, in Atlanta and a former member of the Pinnacle Club.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jeanne Johnson Pruitt, of Augusta, his son and daughter in law, Pace Barnes and Kay Elliott Pruitt, of Gibson, GA and his cousin, Mrs. Helen Pace Thompson Garrison, of Augusta.

The family will greet friends, at the graveside, following the service.