Jack Grey Pruett

Colonel Jack G. Pruett, US Army, (Retired), 89, of Hampstead died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, Aug. 6 at Exeter Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on Sept. 4, 1925 in Mount Airy, NC. Jack proudly served his country as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and later as an agent in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the US Army for over 34 years. Jack was deployed overseas in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam earning a Purple Heart in each campaign. As a CID Agent, he was instrumental in successfully breaking up international drug smuggling activities and solving murders with his adept investigative skills. He was portrayed in the two-part NBC mini-series movie "Fatal Vision" based on the true life book of the same name about the Jeffrey MacDonald murders. Following his military career, Jack moved to Minnesota and had a second career as Corporate Director of Security for Honeywell for 16 years. During both careers, Jack travelled the world and visited nearly every continent. In Minnesota, Jack enjoyed snowmobiling and lake fishing. Jack moved to NH in 1989 and became an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He also enjoyed going to the casinos. Jack was an active member of the Hampstead VFW Post 11254 as well as the Hampstead Lions Club.

Every time someone met Jack they were won over by his Southern charm. He was full of character with humor and stories. A hardworking, dedicated, family man, Jack always put others first and made everyone around him feel loved and important. He was actively engaged with all his grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed their visits as well as attending their activities. Jack always made sure to take care of those around him, whether they be family, friends, or strangers. To meet Jack was to love him.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Frances Pruett (LaBounty), his five children Rita Morrison and her husband, George, of Bow, Jim Pruett of Londonderry, Keith Pruett and his wife, Danielle, of Londonderry, Kathleen March and her husband, Brian, of Windham, ME, and Teresa Pruett Sieg, of Derry, his nine grandchildren Sarah, Brittney, Anna, Hunter, Peter, Lydia, Owen, Ethan, and Virginia, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Jack was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Gladys Pruett (Worrell), as well as by all his siblings Conway Pruett, Samuel Pruett, Jr., Mildred Snider (Pruett), Dorothy Vogler (Pruett), and James Pruett.

Services: A memorial mass will be held on Monday, August 17 at 10:30 AM at Saint Anne Roman Catholic Church, 26 Emerson Ave., Hampstead. A mercy meal will immediately follow in the church basement. Interment in New Hampshire State Veteran's Cemetery, Boscawen will follow at 3:00pm with full military honors. Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of New Hampshire.. To send an online condolence or memory to the family go to www.csnh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jack's name may be made to the cancer society of the donor's choice or to the Commander, Hampstead VFW Post 11254, Hampstead, NH 03841 or Hampstead Lions Club, PO Box 171, Hampstead, NH 03841.