Byron Ross Pruitt lived every bit of his 72 years until Saturday, September 12, 2026.
He was born August 11, 1954, to George Edward and Edna (Hayes) Pruitt in the Randolph, Kentucky community, who have previously left this life.
He has an older sister, Elaine (Leon) Wilson of Glasgow. Byron was a graduate of Metcalfe County High School and earned an Associate’s Degree in Agricultural Mechanization from Western Kentucky University.
He married his high school sweetheart, Brenda Sue Branstetter, on December 27, 1974, prior to coming to Madisonville.
They were still happily wed having raised two sons, Jeremy Ross (Sarah) of Wilmore, and Joshua Edward (Jennifer) of Hanson. His four grandchildren, Ellie Kate, Sadie Ann, Callum Byron, and Asher Hayes were his pride and joy.
As an agricultural equipment salesman, he worked for F&R Truck and Tractor, Case IH, Parkway Ford, Carter Equipment, Spencer Sales and Service of Logansport, Indiana, Pruitt Agri-Sales, and the final twenty-two years of his career at Power Machinery. His avocation was service to agriculture and the Christian faith.
In the fifty plus years he lived in Hopkins County, he was a dedicated volunteer for Hopkins County 4-H and its youth livestock programs, vice president of the Hopkins County Fair Board, member of the district Extension board, and a first-class greeter and door holder at Pennyrile Church of Christ.
His service to his community resulted in him being recognized as a Friend of Agriculture by the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce and the Community Service Award from the Hopkins County Soil Conservation District. He was awarded the Conrad Feltner Adult Award for his 4-H volunteerism and earned the Kentucky 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award when he entered the Kentucky 4-H Hall of Fame.
Byron was instrumental in the design, planning, and completion of the new Hopkins County Extension office located in Mahr Park.
Since the beginning of the Pennyrile Church of Christ, he has served as a deacon and now elder.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at Pennyrile Church of Christ at 4915 Hanson Road in Madisonville. Burial will follow in Hanson Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the church and from 11:00 A.M. until service time Wednesday at the church.
The family is honored that Craig Carver, Tom Gulley, Randy London, Dan Rust, Jeremy Teal, and Brad Tucker will serve as pall bearers with Bill Brown, Rob Frederick, Danny Lutz, and Mike Pedigo as honorary pall bearers for Byron’s final ride.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that money be sent as a gift to support Hopkins County 4-H (25 Mahr Park, Madisonville, KY 42431).
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