Edward Taylor Pratt III breathed his final breath on February 21st, 2020. He died a loved and important man. His last days were spent in courage, grace, and fortitude surrounded by family.
Edward T. Pratt III was born in Mineral Wells, TX on July 17th, 1955. Mr. Pratt attended preparatory school at Cascia Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1977, he graduated Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Hotel Administration.
Mr. Pratt was a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hollywood Casino Corporation. He successfully developed the company from inception into one of the premier gaming resort companies in the country with over 6, 000 employees. He orchestrated the sale of Hollywood Casino to Penn National Gaming in 2003. This merger created the largest gaming company in the country.
During his career, Mr. Pratt successfully developed a multitude of hotel, resort, and restaurant properties throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
At the time of his death, Mr. Pratt was an active co-founder of Sunrise Equity Investors, LLC, a local private equity firm whose principal investments include the founding of a cabinetry manufacturing company, Sunrise Wood Designs. Today, it is the largest and most successful manufacturer of custom cabinetry in North Texas.
Mr. Pratt was actively involved in several civic and charitable organizations. He was a distinguished member of the Dean’s Lecture Series at Cornell University and served as the Executive in Residence teaching and mentoring graduate school students. He was also a long-time member of Highland Park United Methodist Church.
Edward was a man of unparalleled integrity and honor. He held fast to the conviction that people were innately good and it’s this tender, buoyant spirit which guided him and endeared him to so many. (He had a particular soft spot for other gentle creatures, specifically children and dogs, of particular note, his own darling Cavaliers, Bree and Margot, whom he spoiled silly, to the point of no return.) This is a portrait of a man who never met a stranger. He possessed the gift of gab and perfected this particular art over the years (resulting in varying amounts of vexation amongst his family.) He could chat with just about anyone about just about anything. He took interest in all the employees at the 7-11 where he went for his morning Diet Coke and he loved checking in on the wait staff at his favorite restaurants. He couldn’t take a vacation without coming home with a life-long friend (or two), and his attentiveness and genuine regard for his own employees and colleagues was unmatched. In a world that grew less personal, Ed had the genuine ability to find something in common with anyone he happened to meet. He made people feel significant, special, and perhaps, most importantly, heard.
He approached life with the enthusiastic charm and penchant for fun typically reserved for the very young. Even if his body was aging, his soul was oh so youthful. He was funny, so funny it made your belly ache. He loved making people laugh. He loved holidays and any occasion to celebrate. Even simple dinners felt like a special occasion. If he and his family were not the last people to leave the restaurant, he was disappointed. Those distinctive blue eyes brimming with love, laughter, and mischief will be sorely missed. Life was just a little better and brighter with Ed Pratt around.
Over the course of the last week, it has been unequivocally decided amongst friends and family that Ed was the ultimate “Girl Dad”. He reveled in his daughters’ company and conversations, even if he had a hard time following the twists and turns their dialogue might take. “Wait, who are we talking about now, girls?” Despite all this feminine energy, he made time for more boyish pursuits: Cars, planes, and first and foremost BOATS. His passion for the water was first rate, earning him the self-assigned nickname of which he was very proud: Captain Eddy! These seemingly extravagant passions belied a man of simple tastes and pleasures: a hotdog, hamburger, or pizza at home watching TV with his wife was true happiness, and he would swear that the sunset at Possum Kingdom Lake or Harbour Island, Bahamas was as beautiful a sight as any he had seen.
Of all his many accomplishments the one which he was undoubtedly the most proud, was the marriage to the love of his life, Lisa. Their love story is enviable and extraordinary. Married at such a tender age, they enjoyed, endured, and exalted each other through every stage of life. He was a tremendous husband. Throughout 43 years of marriage, there was not a day in which she did not feel protected, loved, and cherished. May we all be lucky enough to experience this kind of love.
Ed was a man of service. He loved taking care of his family, and they were all buoyed by his gentle strength. He gave selflessly without expectation of gaining anything in return. If you asked, you were more than likely to receive, and there were never any strings attached. One would be hard pressed to find a more generous and loving soul. It was a privilege to have known him in any capacity, but his role as a husband and a father was where he shined brightest. The time his family had with him will never be enough. However, they are eternally grateful for the time they were granted. What an honor it must be to live with the memories he created with them.
Ed is survived by his wife, Lisa Treigle Pratt of Highland Park, TX and his daughters Erica Renee Pratt of New York and Jourdan Leigh Pratt of Dallas, TX.
His parents: Billie Ruth Pratt of Mineral Wells, TX, Edward Pratt Jr. and Maria Pratt of Dallas, TX and his sisters: Carolyn Hickey of Mineral Wells, TX and Sharon Naftel of Heath, TX. He is survived by a loving niece, nephews, many family members, and life-long friends.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the talented and devoted doctors, nurses and caregivers at Texas Health Presbyterian and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Memorial Services details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to please donate to the charities close to his heart: St. Jude’s Research Hospital, The Salvation Army USA, or Smile Train.
Or pass along a kindness. Give someone a second chance. Pick up the phone and call a friend or relative. Make a toast to love. He would like that.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.13.0