Samuel Pratt

Samuel DeWitt Pratt was born on March 22nd 1955 to Rev. Dr. Ornan Azariah Pratt and Mrs. Catherine Enis Pratt, in Brooklyn New York, the third of five children. By the late fifties, his family moved from New York to Florida and settled in the heart of Liberty City Miami on NW 59th Street and 22nd Avenue. He attended Floral Heights Elementary then matriculated to Charles Drew Junior High and finally onto Miami Jackson Senior High School where he graduated in 1973.

From the age of twelve, Sam wanted to join the Marines. This goal was realized on August 14, 1973. As a member of the United States Marine Corps, Sam Pratt (as he liked to be called) quickly distinguished himself and was assigned to guarding the then President Gerald Ford at the White House and Camp David.

Sam Pratt would go on to join the Department of Homeland Security where he would live out his career as a United States Customs and Border Protection Officer.

Throughout his career as a CBP Officer he enjoyed many assignments, including one early on as a joint task force agent with the DEA and another further in life with the 911 Task Force. He also TDY’d: Northern Border Protection, Winter Olympics and Hurricane Katrina Relief. He later became a Firearms instructor and Range Officer for CBP at Trail Glades National Park. His career as a CBP Officer allowed him to travel and work in many places namely, Galveston, Houston, Miami and Grand Bahama, finally settling in Fort Lauderdale.

Samuel had many interests; he loved to ski and was known for taking his family on yearly ski trips. In his younger days he also enjoyed running marathons and would condition his body regularly. He loved reading, swimming, listening to music and most of all his grandchildren. He doted on them and used every opportunity to spend time with them. Sam’s family values ran deep, before his parents passed, he would visit them in the Bahamas multiple times per year. He also regularly took family vacations with his siblings and extended family members. Traveling was a real passion and something he looked forward to doing more of in his retirement. Whether it was flying, cruising, or taking road trips he loved to see new places and meet new people. Interestingly, he had a unique habit of tracking the weather where his family and friends were located, then calling them to give weather advice.

A man of many talents, Samuel was an excellent writer, artist, photographer, videographer, cook, drummer and guitar player. He considered himself a novice techy; fully self-taught he was always researching new and emerging technology and electronics. To his siblings, he was always quick witted and known as the family comedian; they loved his crazy antics. He was a loving and supportive husband to his wife Ruth; they were best friends to each other. To his friends, he was loyal, dependable, a straight shooter and always willing to help.

During his battle with cancer, Samuel remained concerned about his family and friends by lifting their spirits with his jovial demeanor. He will be missed by all who came in contact with him.

Samuel was predeceased by both his parents Rev. Dr. Ornan Azariah Pratt and Mrs. Catherine Enis Pratt and his former wife Patricia Mitchell. Samuel is survived by his wife; Ruth ,Sons; Mitchell (wife: Angelic), Keon and Ryan, Daughter; Marsha, Grandchildren; Nia, Adrianna, Kailyn, Jaala, Greyson, Jacqueline, Ryla, Brothers; Ornan, George, Jerome, Sister; Stephanie, Mother in law; Naomi Lewis, Brothers in law; Keith, Ezra, John, Sisters in law; Rosa, Virginia, Delrose and a host of relatives and friends including Desiree Bender, Jerome Nelson, and Jermaine Cotton.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BabioneBocaRaton.com for the Pratt family.