J. Neal Pratt

Joseph Neal Pratt peacefully met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, December 30, 2022.  He was born April 14, 1932 to Rogers Truett Pratt and Mary Lou (Boren) Pratt in Dallas, Texas. The youngest of four sons, born in the middle of the Great Depression, Neal experienced many adventures, lots of love, and learned early-on to make the most of life and get along with others.  Neal trusted Jesus as his personal Savior as a pre-teen and sought to honor Christ daily.  He loved Jesus, his family, and his country, and made the world a better place by giving of his time and talents to serve God and others with wit, encouragement, and friendliness.

After graduating with his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Agriculture from Southwest Texas State College, Neal taught school for a year prior to serving two years in the Army at Ft. Knox, KY.  He then continued his education at Michigan State University where he earned his PhD in Soil Fertility and where God also blessed him with his loving wife and number one teammate, Marjorie.  After marrying, they moved to South Texas, and in 1964 planted their lives in College Station where they raised their family and shared their lives with others.

Neal used his talents and abilities as State Forage Specialist associated with the Ag Extension Service/AgriLife and TAMU Soil & Crop Science Dept. to teach others about growing better pastures and crops as he traveled the 254 counties in Texas setting up field research and educating farmers, ranchers, industry associates, and anyone who wanted to learn how to produce high quality hay for cattle and horses.  He was full of ideas for improving life, thinking outside the box, and challenging others to look for the good, focus on the positive, and join him doing the best possible in a given situation.

Neal retired as Professor Emeritus in 1992.  Following retirement he continued assisting in developing products for improved soil fertility and consulted throughout the US and Mexico.  Neal was a member of and held leadership positions in numerous professional organizations and received many awards over the years. Most recently, he was recognized in 2019 by the Southwestern Fertilizer Conference as a Hall of Fame individual who significantly impacted the fertilizer industry.

Neal was a faithful servant of the Lord via the local body of Christ through his active participation as a Deacon and Sunday School leader throughout the years at First Baptist Church, Bryan.  He was also a faithful husband and dad, always wanting the best for and affirming his pride in each one.  He loved his family sacrificially, included them in many adventures, imparted wisdom and life skills, and challenged all “his girls” to embrace the uniqueness of each moment.  We knew we were loved and can say with him, “We sure did have a lot of fun together!”

Neal is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers and sisters (in-law): Dr. L.T. Pratt, Sr. (Erin), Dr. Gordon A. Pratt, Sr. (Margaret), Dr. David R. Pratt, as well as a niece and two nephews.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie, and daughters, Barbara, and Mary Jean and husband Robert Armendariz; his sister-in-law, Billye Pratt (David), sister-in-law and brother-in-law Nelda and Robert Campbell, numerous nieces and nephews, and dozens of “adopted” young people, including one extra-special adopted daughter, husband and grand-daughter.  Never one to complain, some of Neal’s final words were, “Things might not always turn out how you want, but in the end, God wins –don’t ever doubt that!”

The family is ever grateful for all the love and attention provided by the special team of caregivers and exercise coaches who became friends and extended family while working with Neal this last year.

Neal’s Celebration of Life service is planned for Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1pm at First Baptist Church, Bryan with reception following; burial preceding.  Livestream link forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Peacock Legacy of Hope (peacocklegacy.org), Still Creek Ranch (stillcreekranch.org), SOS Ministries (saveourstreets.org), or a charity of your choice. https://m.facebook.com/100064707605002/