Charles Pratt

CHARLES PRATT, age 95, of Euclid, Ohio. Passed away April 1, 2020. Beloved husband of the late Jane. Devoted father of Gary (wife Carolyn) and Craig (wife Joan). Loving grandfather of Anna Allender, Andrew Pratt, Kristin Retallick, Ashley Pesata and Kelly Pratt; great-grandfather of Taylor, Olivia, William, Ava, Alden, Riley, Allison, Eliza, Graham, Ruby, Amelia, Archer and Theo.

Born in Cleveland on April 29, 1924, Chuck was the youngest of eight children born to Horace and Annie Pratt, who had immigrated to Cleveland from Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in 1912.

Chuck graduated from East Technical High School in 1942 and entered the military in early 1943, serving as a radio operator in the Army Signal Corps in the Pacific Theater. His unit was on a ship off Okinawa, awaiting orders for an invasion of Japan, when the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki quickly brought World War II to an end. Chuck was later stationed with occupation forces in Korea before being discharged. Returning home in 1946, he enrolled in a carpentry apprenticeship program at Cleveland’s Max Hayes Vocational School.

On February 21, 1948, Chuck married the former Jane Worthington, with whom he had corresponded during his military service. They would raise sons Gary and Craig while living in Willoughby and Euclid.

Chuck spent many years with the L.M. Gundersen Co., which built numerous homes in Shaker Heights and other eastern suburbs in the 1950s and ’60s. While continuing in home construction and remodeling in the late 1960s, he earned his real estate license, which would become his full-time pursuit – primarily with First Commerce Realty of Lake County, Inc., specializing in industrial and commercial properties.

Chuck was an avid golfer and met many of his closest friends in leagues and on courses throughout northeast Ohio. He also was an amateur radio operator (call sign WB8WZE) for many years, communicating with other “hams” throughout the world via a technology that seems primitive by today’s standards. He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America for more than 70 years.

Services will be private. At a later date, the family will receive friends at a gathering of remembrance to share memories of Chuck (and perhaps a few of his many jokes).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Honor Flight Cleveland, 724 Coralberry Lane, Madison, OH 44057.

Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS.