Jim Pratt, 97, of Burlington, died Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Jim was born in Burlington on Oct. 13, 1927 to William Joseph and Elsie Gillow Pratt, the fourth of five children. Jim graduated from Burlington Community High School in 1945 and enlisted in the US Army. Since he was only 17, the Army sent him to the University of Wyoming to study engineering. After the War, he came back to Burlington where he met Edna Noble. They married on Aug. 11, 1951, and were married 65 years before her death at 92 in 2016. In 2017, he married Carol Donato Marino. She survives.
Jim was a letter carrier with the US Postal Service for 35 years before he retired in 1985 to run his own business, The Bicycle Barn, in a barn at his daughter Becky’s property. An avid biker, he rode in multi-day biking events with his daughter, Kelly. He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish. He loved playing chess, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, and was a voracious reader of history tomes. His granddaughter Mallory shared his love for History and became a High School History teacher. He was known for his Jeopardy playing prowess. His latest obsession was following “his girl” Caitlin Clark as a Hawkeye and in the WNBA’s Indiana Fever wearing his Fever shorts and jersey.
Jim leaves behind his two daughters, Becky Brueck, of Burlington, and Kelly Garrett (Ryan Neaveill) of Bloomington, Illinois; four grandchildren, Mallory (Lexi Landis) Garrett of Indianapolis, Sara Garrett of Carbondale, IL, Beth (Bill) McDowell of Pollock Pines, CA and Matthew (Missy) Brueck of Burlington; four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Edna, an infant daughter Mary, brothers Bill and Tom, and sisters Doris and Joyce. He also leaves behind his fur babies, Sadie and Gracie.
Jim will always be remembered for his quick wit and for being the one everyone went to for homework help. He will always be our hero.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.