Von S Pratt M.D.

Von S Pratt M.D.

Gunnison, Utah

Von S Pratt M.D., 68, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend passed away peacefully May 9, 2015 at his home in Gunnison, Utah from metastatic prostate cancer. He was born May 21, 1946, in Logan, Utah, to Parker Frost and Mary Jeanette Skoro Pratt.

Von’s early years were spent in Logan, Utah; Ames, Iowa; Columbus, Ohio; and Riverside, California. He graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 1964. The family then moved to Brazil for his father’s sabbatical. Von was called to serve a 10-month construction mission building a chapel in Bauru, Brazil, for the LDS Church, followed by a two-year proselyting mission in the Brazilian Mission at Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Von enrolled at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, where he earned his B. S. degree. During that time, he met and married Dee Ann Tingey in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Von obtained his M.D. degree from the University of California, Irvine – California College of Medicine, and completed a General Medicine internship at Kern County Medical Center, Bakersfield, California. He worked as the year-round park physician at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park. The family then moved to Gunnison, Utah, where he devoted 37 ½ years to a thriving medical practice. He developed a deep love and concern for the people he served. During that time he also served on the Central Utah Board of Health and worked on numerous state and local medical committees. He enjoyed contributing to the community in numerous ways.

Von had a keen mind and loved to learn, then do. He considered hard physical labor a joy whether it was participating in the construction of the cabin, snowmobiling, 4-wheeling, wood cutting/hauling, marksmanship or hiking. He routinely cleared snow off the neighborhood sidewalks and driveways, hauled firewood or manure for others, and anonymously stepped in with various forms of help as he saw needs. Additional interests included reading (particularly the LDS scriptures), music, gardening, photography, wood working, and bird taming. Time with family was a top priority.

Von served faithfully in many callings in the LDS Church, including as stake president of the Gunnison Utah Stake, on the stake high council, as bishop of the Gunnison 2 ^nd Ward, ward executive secretary, in Elder’s Quorum and High Priest group leadership, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Young Men’s secretary, and as a volunteer choir director at the Gunnison Correctional Facility. During his eight-month remission, the Manti Temple became his "second home" as he performed ordinances for hundreds of his ancestors. He had a deep, abiding love for his Savior, an unshakable testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that families can be together forever. Von lived a full and happy life and leaves behind a great legacy of selflessness and service for his posterity.

Von is survived by his loving wife, DeeAnn, children: Karen (Brian) Memmott, David (Tricia) Pratt, Laura Jayne LeVitre, and Shali Ann (Jeffrey) Shirley. He is also survived by grandchildren: Tesha, Tierra and Tasia Memmott; Danielle, Lauren, Nathan and Connor Pratt; Sarah, Lindsay and Amanda LeVitre; Tiana, Peter, August and baby girl Shirley; mother and siblings: Mary S. Pratt, Craig (Deanna) Pratt, Koleen (Larry) Shaw, and Kathleen (George) Hyde. He was preceded in death by his father.

The family expresses special thanks to Doctors Neeraj Agarwal, John Hoffman and Jonathan Tward at Huntsman Cancer Center who made it possible for Von to experience some of the most incredible months of his life. The family is also grateful to Leslie Johnson, Carl Cox and Monika at Gunnison Valley Hospital Home Health and Hospice for their help and support during the final months of his life.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 12 Noon in the Gunnison LDS Stake Center, 80 West Center Street where friends may call on Sunday, May 17 from 7 pm to 9 pm and on Monday from 10-11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Gunnison City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

In lieu of flowers, due to severe alergies in the family, the family suggests contributions to LDS Humanitarian Services, the Huntsman Cancer Center or to a charity of your choice.