Daniel (Danny) Carlton Pratt, 70, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019 surrounded by love and the comfort of the Williamsburg Hospice House, after a 9 year battle with Huntington’s Disease. Danny was a fighter, and fought to beat HD until the very end. He never allowed this disease to take his sense of humor, his love for his family, or his ability to make any place he was, a party.
As he always said to us, “A boy’s gotta do, what a boy’s gotta do”. A native of the Hampton Roads area, Danny resided in Newport News, Virginia. At the age of 18, he began a 38 year career at the Lee Hall Waterworks, where he retired as Superintendent in 2005.
Danny enjoyed being outdoors. He spent many days hunting with his son, Aaron, and his brothers and close friends. He loved to fish, fly fishing being his favorite.
He always spoke fondly of the hunting trips to Colorado that he would take with his brother, and was most proud of shooting a huge brown bear on one of his first trips. Danny always found a way to be outside. He could be in the mountains, tricking his daughter into skiing a black diamond, hiding in a deer stand in the woods with his son, on a beach with his wife, sipping Jameson and margaritas, or racing through Disney World with his grandkids on a hot summer day.
As long as he was in the outdoors and with his family, he was happy. Danny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was preceded in death by his son, Randy; his father, Doc Jasper Pratt; his mother, Catherine Pratt; and his brother, Larry Pratt.
He is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Shirley Pratt; his children, Aaron Pratt, Elizabeth Pratt-Matthews (Chris), Heather Beardslee and Michael Pratt; and his brother, Tommy Pratt. His grandchildren (Kameron Pratt, Bailey Pratt, Jake Matthews, Brody Matthews, Alison (Ali) Pratt, Destiny Belcher, Cameron Beardslee, and Catelin) adored him, and nicknamed him Papa Puma. He adored them and was always so proud of them.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Riverside Hospice and Riverside Palliative Care, especially Stephanie and Dr. McConaughy, Keli, Mary Kay, and the many aides and staff who guided us through this difficult time. Your support, care, and compassion mean so much. We would also like to thank Dr. Barrett, Dr. Harrison and staff at UVA for all of their guidance and support.
A very special thank you to the Williamsburg Hospice House for providing Danny with a loving, peaceful, and compassionate atmosphere during his last hours. The comfort and support provided to Danny and his entire family was very much appreciated. We also wish to thank Pastor Aaron West, of Crossroads Church, for his support, kind words, and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Huntington’s Disease Society of America or the HDYO (Huntington’s Disease Youth Organization) Donations may be made to: The Huntington’s Disease Society of America 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York NY 10018 Web: interland3. donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink. aspx?
name=E5596&id=1 Huntington’s Disease Youth Organization PO Box 6371, Delray Beach FL 33482 Web: en.
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