Dale Pratt

Dale Hugh Pratt was called to his Heavenly Home on March 1st, 2021, in Idabel, Oklahoma surrounded by his family.  Dale was born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma on a snowy October 30th in 1936 to Howard and Leona Gamble Pratt.  Dale was the oldest of four children. 

Dale spent his younger days working on the family’s farm.  From picking cotton, hoeing corn, plowing peas, or harvesting watermelons, Dale learned early on how to work and work hard.  He also learned the importance of working with others.  If while digging potatoes, you wanted to have some fun, he would be the first to start a dirt clod fight.  All in fun, of course. 

He also spent many hours horseback, riding the range and checking cattle alongside his Uncle Nuel.  Many very dramatic stories were told of the adventures the two of them had.  One thing learned was if there’s a will, there’s a way.

Dale spent his high school career very devoted to FFA, serving as an officer and winning numerous awards for his swine in the show ring.  He was a 1955 graduate of Broken Bow High School.    

In 1956, Dale began to spend summers in California working as an irrigation specialist in the potato fields, making the first trip alone.  While there, he lived with Louie and Bertha Ward.  He returned the following year with brothers Bud and Grady and several friends in tow.  The three brothers bought their first car while in California, a 1949 Ford for $400.  He had many stories of his three trips and time spent in California and his travels to and fro.

After high school, he attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton for two years.  There he was a member of the Air Force ROTC.  He then transferred to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in 1957 to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Education. 

Upon graduating OSU in 1960, he landed his first teaching job in Spaulding, Oklahoma.  Being the Ag teacher of a local farming community also brought along the duty of being called for any veterinarian needs in which the farmers needed help.  In doing this, he made many lifelong friends.  Peanut farming became a side job while living in the Spaulding community near Holdenville. 

In May of 1964, Dale met the prettiest girl he had ever seen.  He and Martha had their first date at Crouse’s Dairy Freeze.  After three short months of courting, he asked her to be his bride.  They were married on August 15th, 1964.  At that point, he had a farming partner for life.  Little did Martha know what she was in for — a life of teachable experiences.

Dale and Martha moved back to Broken Bow in 1967 where he began teaching 8th grade Math at Eastside Junior High and driving bus 3.  In 1968, many life changing events were about to take place.  They bought land south of Broken Bow, bought a trailer house, bought a Massey Ferguson tractor (that Cody still uses to farm today), and bought a brand new Ford Truck (that Caden has fully restored).  They also began their favorite job, as parents, in November 1968 when their daughter, Rebecca Gayle, was born.

Dale took on many side jobs of plowing gardens and bush hogging land for local farmers.   He and Martha added to their ever growing farm a herd of cattle and a passel of pigs. 

The 1970’s took on many changes for the Pratt Family.  In 1972, the family of three welcomed the “Golden Boy”, Bryan Dale.  Chicken farming began in 1976 with the construction of two broiler houses.  Dale ended his teaching career in 1977 to become a full time farmer/rancher.  In 1979, Dale and Martha built their home along with the help of many family and friends.

In 1980, Dale and his brother, Bud, formed Pratt Brothers and began farming together.  They contracted the six chicken houses at the Huffman Broiler Farm for eleven years.  They also purchased 400 head of cattle and managed the Jessie Phillips place, along with managing the haying operation of the Glen Frazier place.  Working from sun up to dark-thirty was Dale’s motto.  The Pratt Brothers were awarded Agriculture Business Farm Family of the Year in 1994.

After retiring from farming, the brothers went to work for Camp Construction in 1998.  Dale often said that his time spent working with Camp Construction, also known as the “Nursing Home Crew”, was the best job he ever had.  If work is something you love, you never are working.

Dale accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1993 and began serving alongside of other members of Charity Baptist Church.  He was involved in building the church sanctuary, studio, amphitheater, picnic area, and parsonage.  Dale became an ordained deacon in 2004.    

Dale started his career as Papa Dale in 1993 with the birth of his first grandchild, Carli Rebecca.  Quickly to follow were Caden Dale, Caydi Marinda, Bailye Lynne, Cody Wayne, Maycee Claire, and Carsyn Rylee.   Being Papa was probably his favorite title.  He made sure to be at everything these children were involved in.  You could bet on Friday nights you would find him in the stands cheering for his favorite football player, water girl, and cheerleader. 

Dale was full of solicited and unsolicited advice, constructive criticism, teachable moments, and jokes.  He never met a stranger.  He was a firm believer that you must learn something every day.  After his accident in the garden, he spent his days exercising his brain.  He said you must use it or you will lose it.  We could learn many lessons from his life, work ethic, and dedication to serving others. 

Dale was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Martha Camp Pratt, his parents: Howard and Leona Pratt, his father and mother-in-law: Cody and Winnie Camp, his sister:  Wilma Pratt, brothers-in-law:  Floyd Camp, Jerry Camp, and Ralph Fogg, sisters-in-law:  Vivalee Parkinson, Jean Camp, and numerous other family members. 

Dale leaves to cherish his memory - his daughter Rebecca and husband Rocky Green of Broken Bow, his son Bryan and wife Ashlee Pratt of Bentonville, Arkansas, his grandchildren: Carli and husband Branson Green of Fordyce, Arkansas, Caden and wife Casey of McAlester, Oklahoma, Caydi Green of Broken Bow, Bailye Pratt of Bentonville, and Cody Green of Broken Bow, Maycee and Carsyn Shumway of Bentonville, Arkansas, and great grandchildren:  Casen Louise and Cutler Dale of McAlester, Oklahoma, brothers:  Bud and wife Margie Pratt and Grady and wife Shirley Pratt all of Broken Bow, brother-in-laws:  Paul Camp, Carl and wife Violet Camp all of Broken Bow, James and wife Linda Camp of Smithville, sister-in-laws:  Joyce and husband J.E. Beam, Ruth Camp, and Barbara Fogg all of Broken Bow, a host of family and friends and two special nursing home friends:  Pearl Sharrock and Mel Davis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Charity Baptist Church, P.O. Box 522 Broken Bow, OK in Dale’s memory. 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 4th, 2021 at Lukfata Baptist Church at 2 pm.  Visitation will be Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 at Bunch-Singleton Funeral Home from 6-8 pm.  Intermit will be at Pine Top Cemetery.  Services will be officiated by Bro. Clint Bray.  

A special thank you to Broken Bow Health and Rehab for the love and compassion you have shown Dale the past two years.  Also, to McCurtain Memorial Hospital for allowing us to be with our dad for the last week and for your care for him.

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