Robert Wilson Pratt
June 14, 1922 – March 12, 2022
Robert Wilson Pratt passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on the morning of March 12, 2022, at his home in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas.
He was born on June 14, 1922, in Superior, Nebraska, to Dr. Irving and Rose Pratt. He and his younger sister, Peggy, were raised in San Antonio, Texas, where they both graduated from Jefferson High School.
Robert attended the San Antonio College after he graduated from Jefferson in 1941 until he enlisted in the Navy in October of 1942. Due to his college credits already earned, he was entered into an officer training program.
He was commissioned an ensign in May of 1944. He proceeded to be part of the commissioning crew of LST 781. LST 781 then sailed from New Orleans, Louisiana, through the Panama Canal and into the South Pacific Theater. His ship participated in many of the island invasions in the Pacific culminating in the invasion of Okinawa where he survived kamikaze attacks while supporting Marine Corp Air Unit logistics. His ship had the distinction of being one of the first American ships to enter a Japanese port after the atomic bombs ended the conflict. He used a Jeep from his ship to drive the short distance to Hiroshima to see the destruction there since no one knew anything about the danger of radiation. It was a sight he could never forget.
He returned after the war to San Antonio and completed his undergraduate degree in marketing at St. Mary’s University. He was working for General Motors when he met the love of his life, Frances Salley of Alice, Texas. They married in January of 1950.
When they returned from their honeymoon, he was greeted by a letter from the United States Navy calling him back to active duty for the Korean conflict. After Korea, he and Frances returned to South Texas where they raised two sons, Robert W Pratt II and Byron Wayne Pratt.
R.W. had careers as an executive for Central Power & Light Company and later as a real estate developer of apartment communities. He stayed in the Navy Reserves, retiring with the rank of commander. He was an active member of the Corpus Christi Yacht Club for many years.
Robert and Frances enjoyed a 71-plus year partnership and adventure together. Many of their best times were spent with family and friends aboard their 50-foot ketch, the Masquerade, on voyages that went from Florida to Annapolis, Maryland, and throughout the Caribbean.
They moved from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, in 1995 where R.W. continued to manage some of his real estate assets and mentor younger people he met to grow to their full potential.
R.W. was preceded in death by his mother, Rose, and his father, Dr. Irving Pratt; his sister, Peggy Thacker; as well as his beloved Frances. He is survived by his two sons, Robin Pratt (Cindy Pratt) and Byron Pratt (Mary Pratt). He also leaves behind five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They are in order of birth Derek Pratt, Caitlin Pratt, Dillon Pratt (and wife Crystal), Joanna Pratt and Robert S. Pratt (and wife Aja). Dillon and Crystal provided the great-grandchildren, Braxton, Axel and Novah Pratt.
A graveside service is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 11, at 1:45 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Ceremony.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to Wish for Our Heroes; a nonprofit that supports the needs of veterans. CDR R.W. Pratt was active in its mission. https://www.wishforourheroes.org/chapters/texas/.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary West, 1710 West Loop 1604 North, San Antonio, TX 78251, 210-891-0000.
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