(December 6, 1919 – February. 13, 2014)
Dana “Dick” Richmond Pratt, or “Grandpa Great” as his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren have come to know him, passed away Feb. 13, 2014, at the age of 94.
Dana was born Dec. 6, 1919, in Hinckley, Utah to William Burgess Pratt and Mary Cropper Pratt, and married his eternal love Angie Mace on Dec. 13, 1940 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.
In 1940, he earned his normal degree from Brigham Young University, which put him on the path to being a teacher—a career that spanned 43 years. He later earned his bachelor’s degree from BYU in 1948, and in 1966 he received his master’s degree from the same university.
Dana was a lifelong lover of learning, and used that passion to teach others. In addition to earning his normal degree, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree—all from Brigham Young University—he also utilized his love of our language to teach English for 43 years spanning schools, counties and titles.
He educated elementary and high school students in Millard County—where he also served as President of the Millard County Teachers Association—before coming to sunny St. George to teach English at Dixie College—where he was the Department Chairman and Division Director of Humanities.
Dana had a hand in almost everything in the communities he lived in. From town clerk to Rotary Club member, from rodeo announcer to baseball player, Grandpa Great was an avid member of both Hinckley and St. George.
Although Dana was an aficionado of sportsman activities like hunting and camping, those who knew him can say one word truly described Dick’s favorite outdoor activity: fishing. Grandpa Great loved fishing, and he even dreamed about fishing up until his last moments on Earth (the fish in his dreams continued to grow with every re-telling!).
Dana and Angie served their LDS mission at the Hill Cumorah in New York, a sacred area that is rooted in Jesus’ church being restored on Earth. Dana loved serving the Lord, and did so as President of the Elders Quorum, ward clerk, counselor in two bishoprics, president and counselor in High Priest groups, and a temple ordinance worker for 13 years.
Dana spent many of his final years exploring his love of art. When family and friends would visit, they would be greeted by an array of his trademark watercolors and oil paintings that adorned his home’s walls. After making the world such a beautiful place, it was only appropriate that Grandpa Great added his own beautiful creations to it, as well.
Dana is survived by three daughters, Patsy Ann (Calvin) Durfey of St. George, Utah; Marcia Kay (Kelly) Cooper of Kanab, Utah; and Mace Dana (Matt deceased) Jacobson of Pine Valley, Utah.
And Grandpa Great’s posterity of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren continues to grow—it’s upwards of 100!
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, with a viewing prior to services from 9-10:30 a.m.
- Interment will take place in the St. George City Cemetery.
Dana’s family would like to thank Dixie Home & Hospice, especially Michelle and Jessi.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 435-673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign Dana’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com.