Author Lee 'A.L.' Pruett

Author Lee "A.L." Pruett, 85, of Canyon, TX, joined his heavenly Father and Savior, January 27, 2025, during a reading of Psalm 23. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Brooks Chapel with Roy Hunter officiating. A.L. was born in 1939 to Jefferson Davis (J.D.) and Thelma Pruett. He was born in a farmhouse in New Mexico without a doctor being present because there weren't any doctors in their vicinity. After WWII, the family moved to Canyon, TX. A.L. played football, basketball, and ran track when he was a student at Canyon High School. He had fond memories of his senior year being a great year; he was Co-Captain for the football and basketball teams, student body president, and was basketball king for the Lady Eagles. While in high school, A.L. joined the National Guard and served as a Specialist E3 Rifleman in the Mortar Squad, Company F 142nd Battalion, 36th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army Texas National Guard for six active years and two inactive years. He was honorably discharged with rank of Sergeant, E-5. After high school graduation in 1958, he accepted a football scholarship to play for Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX. He played one season and then transferred to West Texas State College where he graduated with an education degree in 1963. For the next 8 years, he taught school and coached at Borger, Fritch, and Eagle Pass. In 1972, he returned to Canyon to complete his Master's in Education while working as a graduate assistant. He then worked the next two years as a full-time professor at West Texas State University and was also Director of the men's intramural sports. Next, he partnered with his mother and brother to own and run the Village Inn Restaurant in Canyon. He thoroughly enjoyed being a part of something that touched a lot of people's lives – Chicken Fried Steak and Chili Cheeseburger Plate – two dishes that hold a special place in many of our hearts. Sadly, The Village Inn had to close its doors in May 1992, encouraging A.L. to return to the education system. He taught at Canyon until he retired in 1999. A.L. stated that "the most significant personal accomplishment was that I finally got married!" He enjoyed life with the love of his wife of 45 years, Patricia Ann Pruett. When someone was looking for A.L., he could always be found on a golf course, drinking coffee with the guys at the bank, eating breakfast with friends at Hil's Burgers, or driving around town, checking on his friends. A.L. will fondly be remembered for not only his love for golf, but for his ability to find a connection with anyone with whom he visited. However, I think many people will remember him for The Village Inn's chicken fried steaks and chili cheeseburger plates – yum! A.L was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. Pruett and Thelma Foster, his brothers, Richard Pruett and Jackie Pruett and his wife, Pat Pruett. A.L. is survived by his wife's three daughters; Kathy Cadenhead and husband, Bret of Lubbock, TX; Kim Parrish of Amarillo, TX; Karen Christenson and husband, Greg of Austin, TX; and his grandchildren Kayse and Andy White of Lubbock, TX; Whitley and Harrison Yi of Weatherford, TX; Karly Cadenhead of Weatherford, TX; Presley Parrish of Amarillo, TX; Addison Parrish of Canyon, TX; Zoey Lennon of Dripping Springs, TX; his great-grandchildren Anna, Cameron, and Alexa White and Poppy Yi; his sister-in-law, Judy Pruett; his nephews Ty Pruett and Kelly of Amarillo, TX; Kip Pruett and Joyce of O'Fallon , MO; and his niece Kara Pruett Gibbs of Amarillo , TX; and a cousin KL Nabours from Deming, NM.