HOYT- Gary Lee Pruitt, 69, of Hoyt, formerly of Holton, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2011 at a Topeka hospital. He was born February 1, 1942 in Kansas City, MO, the son of Lee Roy "Arkie" and Betty L. Langford Pruitt.

Gary graduated from Valley Center High School in 1961. He was a 50 year member of Boilermakers Union Local #83 and worked in Iowa for several years. He has lived in the Holton and Hoyt area since 1969.

Gary had owned and operated R & G Auto Sales, Pruitt Builders and Tastee Freeze in Holton. He had also operated Gambino's Pizza in Hoyt.

He was married to Mary J. Carter on September 7, 1962 in Valley Center, KS. Survivors include his wife, Mary Pruitt and his mother, Betty Pruitt both of Hoyt, KS; his daughter, Janice Tidwell of Holton, KS; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his son, Russell Pruitt in 2007 and his father, Lee Roy "Arkie" Pruitt in 2003.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Interment will follow in Holton Cemetery. Gary will lie in state at the funeral home beginning Saturday and family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday evening. Memorials may be given to Medicalodges Jackson County c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.