James Edward Pruett MD

James E. Pruett, MD passed away peacefully, surrounded by members of his family on Saturday, October 24th. Jim Pruett was born 83 years ago at Grady Memorial Hospital to Daisy Marguerite Smith Pruett and Jefferson William Pruett. He was student body class president at Grady High School and earned the Eagle Scout rank. He attended Yale University on full scholarship studying history until he was accepted into the Medical College of Georgia. After med school, Jim did his residency at Georgia Baptist Hospital for one year. In 1959 he met and married the love of his life, Carol Ann Price, at St. Phillips Cathedral in Atlanta, GA and soon after they moved to New Orleans where he completed his residency at Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital. Dr. Pruett joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps and took a position as the Assistant Chief of Otolaryngology at Beaumont Army Hospital in El Paso, TX until 1964 when he and his family returned to Atlanta where he took up private practice as an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

At various times during his long and distinguished career as a physician and surgeon, Dr. Pruett served as Decatur Hospital’s Chief of Otolaryngology, Northside Hospital’s Chief of Otolaryngology, President of the Greater Atlanta Society of Otolaryngology, founding member and otolaryngology representative for the State of Georgia Hearing Aid Board, and a member of the Board of Directors, Georgia Society of Otolaryngology.

Jim Pruett was an excellent and avid tennis player for most of his life and could hold his own on the court with the best of Atlanta’s players. He loved music and was an accomplished piano player much to the delight of his friends and family whom he entertained. He also enjoyed collecting and working on antique clocks. At one time, he owned over 300 museum quality clocks and was sought out for his advice and opinion by other collectors from all over the country.

For those who knew Jim Pruett, his kindness, sense of humor and mild ways signified him best. It was not uncommon for him to gather a frightened, crying child in his arms and gently carry them to surgery while whispering about “Smurfs in ears that he wanted to see.” He loved laughing and telling jokes, delivering the perfect punch line at the perfect time every time.

Jim Pruett’s passing is felt deeply by his family and friends. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 56 years, Carol Price Pruett; his daughter, Pamela (Michael) Ouzts; his daughter, Kimberly (Ray) Kuckleburg; his grandchildren, Katelyn Kimberly Ouzts (Chris) Cocco and Taylor James Ouzts; and great-grandchild, Hayden Kristine Cocco. He is survived by his beloved older brother, Bill Pruett. He was preceded in death by his dear friends and sister in-law and her husband, Joyce and Robert Croy. Also surviving him are his nephews and nieces and their families: Jeff (Susan) Pruett and Jeremy, and Ben (Molly) Pruett and Nancy and Charlie; Joan (Chip) Grant; Ken (Judy) Croy and Amanda and Issac ; and Jon (Bobbi) Croy and Keriann and Maclaren and precious family friend and caretaker, Dedra Kimbro --- and countless other family members and friends who keenly feel his loss. We would be remiss for not including, Kayla, his furry, four-legged grandchild in the list of those he cherished and who cherished him.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday, November 7 at 11 o’clock at Patterson’s Spring Hill. The family requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his memory to The Weinstein Hospice or the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).