Jerald Kinney Pratt
December 29, 1943 – July 19,2023
Jerald Kinney Pratt, 79, of Queen Creek Arizona, passed away at home on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 from Parkinson’s disease.
Jerry was born in San Francisco, California. He is the son of Adeline Kemp Pratt and Ralph Merrill Pratt.
Jerry was raised in Oakland, California where he received his schooling. He graduated from Fremont High School in 1962. In his early adult years, he loved cheering on the Oakland Raiders. Jerry played baseball and basketball in his youth. He spent many of his summers in Midvale, Utah with his cousins and maternal grandparents. He loved that time of his life.
Upon graduation, Jerry obtained employment for a short time. He then was called to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in the West Central States Mission (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas). This was one of the highlights of his life and he was very grateful for what this mission entailed because it was instrumental in moving him forward on the right path. He also served in the National Guard for many years.
Jerry attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing and Management. While attending BYU, he met his future wife, Barbara Klingman. They were married on June 7, 1968 and enjoyed 55 years of marriage.
Upon graduation, the Pratts moved to northern California and settled in the quiet town of Dublin where Jerry found employment as a sales rep for a toy company. Most of his career was in food sales and distribution.
Jerry and Barbara were blessed with five children: Traci Lynne (Rick), Jonathan Merrill (April), Julie Ann (James), Jaime Dawn (Mike), and Keri Marie.
They have 14 grandchildren: Conner, Camryn, Haleigh (Zen) Lauren, Collin, Emily, Jakeb, Cole, Carson, Caleb, Riley, Chloe, Chase and Tysen. They were what he lived for.
While attending BYU, Jerry became an avid BYU football fan. Goodbye Raiders! He loved watching college football and baseball as well.
Jerry served in numerous positions in the church, many of which were leadership positions. More than anything, though, he was a cherished and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was passionate about attending any and all games, sports, school and church activities his children were involved in: soccer, skateboarding, music concerts, skating, programs and plays. He was slow to anger or gossip, quick to be patient, to listen, to understand. He had a steady way about him and handled stress with great patience and faith. Playing Scrabble and Five Crowns around the table was a tradition. Jerry and Barbara served a mission in the Gilbert Temple Baptistry as well as the Bishop’s Storehouse in St. George, Utah.
He had a solid testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ and his family knew that. He worked tirelessly to support his family. Close to retirement he had a food sales business which he sold and then it was off to Woodland Hills, Utah to build their mountain home. The hours spent landscaping, building stairs out of railroad ties, laying tile inside and completing the basement bath were just some of his talents. He somehow just knew what to do and it was beautiful.
Towns where the Pratt family resided were Hayward, Livermore, and Modesto, all in California. Then, on to Woodland Hills, Utah, St. George, Utah and Queen Creek, Arizona where Jerry was laid to rest in San Tan Memorial Gardens, Queen Creek, Arizona. We love and miss you, our cherished Jerry, Pops and Grandpa!!! We are so joyful that you are now at peace with loved ones. We look forward to that bright day when we will be reunited. Until then….we continue to strive to do good.