Warren Pruitt

On June 2, 2011 Warren Pruitt peacefully left this earth, heavenly bound to coach the big basketball game in the sky. During his 20+ year coaching career, he was known as one of the most winning high school coaches in Texas history. Saying he was a very special man and a great coach would be an understatement. He lived his life to the fullest -- doing it his way up until the very end. He would be very happy to know that his friends and family were coming together to celebrate his life rather than mourn his death. That playful twinkle in his eye will surely be missed by all who knew him. Warren was born on Feb.1st, 1934 in Jermyn, Texas - the first son of George and Warrena Pruitt. He graduated from Bryson High School in 1951 and Texas Wesleyan University in 1956, where he played basketball. He later received his Master's Degree from North Texas State University. Warren was drafted into the US Army at Ft Carson, Colorado in January, 1957 and was stationed as part of the 14th Armory Calvary Regiment at Ft. Sill, OK. While stationed at Fulde Gap, Germany, Warren continued to play and eventually started coaching the 14th Army Cavaliers. This was the beginning of the career that brought him so much joy throughout his life. His first coaching job after his military service was as both the baseball and basketball coach in Graford, Texas from 1959 to 1968 where he took his 1964 basketball team to the State Championship. He later coached at Brownsville HS from 1968 to 1971. He finally made it to his adopted hometown of Mineral Wells in 1971, where he developed a winning basketball program, the likes of which Mineral Wells had never seen. He coached the Mineral Wells Runnin' Rams to two State Tournaments and was the most winning coach ever until his retirement in 1978. His final season marked the greatest year in the history of "Big Red" basketball. Warren had a career coaching record of 449 wins and 152 losses - NEVER having had a losing season! He won 6 district titles, 3 bi-district titles and one regional title. During his 20+ year basketball career, Warren influenced many young women and men. Over the years he has received dozens of letters from his players and students -- who all speak of his influence on them, and most importantly, how he taught them the value of hard work and how to be a graceful winner. After retiring from coaching and teaching, Warren brought his winning attitude and talents to a very successful career as a REALTOR . He was at the top of his game throughout his entire career, as one of the leading real estate agents in Mineral Wells for over 30 years. True to form, Warren was working hard as ever even as he was being admitted to the ICU. His cell phone had to be yanked from his hand by his son so the doctors could proceed with his treatment. (Apologies to the person that got hung up on.) Everyone that knew Warren knew he liked a good party. He loved to travel around Texas, and Austin was his absolute favorite! He had many friends that he looked forward to visiting at all of his favorite haunts. He loved taking road trips to Ft Worth, Marathon, South Padre Island, Fredericksburg, San Antonio and Luckenbach --where there was always a cold Miller Lite waiting for him. Warren, and his long-time love and partner Laurie, liked to make yearly pilgrimages to Austin each March for the UIL Boy's State Basketball Tournament. There they could be found court-side for 10+ hours a day during the whole tournament, watching all the games, cheering on their favorite teams and catching up with old players and friends. In Mineral Wells, Warren had his daily routine that involved seeing friends all over town. Nothing and no one could keep him from these rounds that changed little over the years. Affectionately known as "The Godfather", Warren loved to listen to others as much as he enjoyed mentoring, advising, and sharing his life's lessons with those in need of a little positive reinforcement or guidance. It's these rounds and social outings that kept him working til the very end. Even when retirement was on his mind, he could always be talked into taking another real estate listing or helping out a buyer. It's been said that he sold more real estate while "retired" than most realtors sold during their careers. Even though basketball and real estate were his life's passions, nothing could top the love he had for his two children, Deborah and Kevin. The smile on his face when he saw them was nothing short of astounding. His pride in their accomplishments and their doting attention on him was known by all who crossed his path. Warren is survived by his long time love and partner, Laurie Mauldin of Mineral Wells, who took care of him and was his much-loved companion of 13 years, daughter Deborah Pruitt of Mineral Wells and son Kevin Pruitt and wife Eileen, of Austin, brother Dwayne Pruitt of Brownfield, nephew Jason Pruitt and wife Lisa of Amarillo, nephew Michael Pruitt and wife Chris and children of Phoenix, Arizona, niece Elizabeth Pruitt Edgar and husband Jeff Edgar and children of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, Uncle Harry "Kink" Pruitt and family, formerly of Mineral Wells as well as a large group of cousins and their families. Warren was proceeded in death by his parents, George and Warrena Pruitt of Jermyn, Texas. A tribute and celebration of Warren Pruitt's life will be held in a place full of many wonderful memories for Coach Pruitt, The Graford Gymnasium in Graford, Texas, on June 8th at 10am. Visitation to be held June 7th, 6-8pm at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home, Mineral Wells, Texas. Private burial to be held at Graceland Cemetery, Jermyn, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to be made to the Mineral Wells High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee PO Box 555, Mineral Wells, TX 76068 or the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.