Sgt. Austin David “Ozzie” Pratt
Sgt. Austin David “Ozzie” Pratt of Cadet, Missouri was born on Wednesday, December 19, 1984 in Farmington, Missouri and departed this life on Saturday, December 15, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq while serving in the United States Army having reached the age of twenty-two years, eleven months and twenty-six days.
Sgt. Pratt is survived by his mother and father, Monica and David F. Pratt of Cadet, Missouri; six sisters, Cathy Coleman and husband, RP of Potosi, Missouri, Danna Missey and husband, Mark of Potosi, Missouri, Angela Mitchell and husband, Tobias of Old Mines, Missouri, Jodi C. Pratt of Cadet, Missouri, Sarah Pratt and fiancé, Josh Mosier of Mineral Point, Missouri, Jaclyne Pratt of Cadet, Missouri; one brother, Matheaw Pratt and wife, Angie of Farmington, Missouri; nieces and nephews, Ryan and Olivia Coleman, Hannah, Koleby and Ayden Missey, Graycen Pratt, Stevan and Sydney Rogers, Korbyn Pratt, Kaelynn Mosier and Tyrese Mitchell; twelve uncles, Deacon Glennon Politte and wife, Carol, Edwin Politte and wife, Nancy, Deacon Jerry Politte and wife, Valeria, Russell Politte and wife, Sandy, James Politte and wife, Carolyn, Deacon Stephen Politte and wife, Joyce, Joseph Politte and wife, DeeAnn, Dennis Politte and wife, Vicki, David Politte and wife, Kathy, Rick Politte and wife, Marcia, Michael Pratt and wife, Mary Pat, Robert Pratt and wife, Marie; twelve aunts, Mary Ann Pratt and husband, Dale, Jeannie Brown, Lucy Kordonwy, Sarah Roberts and husband, Kenneth, Delores DeClue and husband, Joseph, Jane Rivera, Rebecca Rogers and husband, Gerald, Mary Gassner, Margaret Schellabarger and husband, Carl, Paula Pace and husband, Kenneth, Jackie Daugherty and husband, John, Leslie Evers and husband, Larry, Diana Politte; also surviving are many other relatives, cousins and many friends. Sgt. Pratt was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Charles and Mary Ellen Pratt and Edna Jean Pratt; maternal grandparents, Edwin and Catherine Politte; two uncles, Charles Pratt, William Politte, two aunts, Catherine “Kitty” Portell and Judith Ann Politte.
Austin or as many of his family and friends called him “Ozzie” loved to play baseball from a very young age. Playing for the 11-12 year old Potosi Hornets, 13-15 year old Potosi Pumas, 16-18 year old Potosi Elks. “Ozzie” also played for the Mineral Area Baseball All-stars, 14-year-old team in 1999 winning the District Championship, Runners Up Regional in Gering, Nebraska and the State Championship in Dexter, Missouri. In 2000 the 15-year-old boys won the District Championship, State Championship in Branson, Missouri and the World Series in Lebanon, Missouri. The 16-year-old boys in 2001 won the State Championship in Dexter, Missouri and the Runners Up Regional in Edgley, North Dakota. In 2003 the 18-year-old boys won the State Championship in Dexter, Missouri the Regional Champs in Liberal, Kansas and the World Series in Weimer, Texas where they were 2-2 and Austin pitched against Mobile, Alabama who was favored to win the World Series and beat them 3-2.
Austin attended the St. Joachim Catholic Church in Old Mines, Missouri. He had a great love for his God and family. Austin enjoyed playing horseshoes as a small child before he found his love for baseball. He also enjoyed watching sports on television especially the St. Louis Cardinals and playing golf and euchre. Austin loved spending time with his many friends going to Mud Runs and on float trips. He was always known as a peacemaker, mediator and coach.
Austin comes from a large Military Service family, and continuing his family’s dedication for serving our Country he enlisted into the United States Army in May of 2004. While serving he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Posthumous, Army Good Conduct Medal, Posthumous, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Expert Infantryman, Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Weapons Qualification Badge qualifying expert with rifle.
Visitation was held Friday, December 21, 2007 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturday, December 22, 2007 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Moore Funeral Home, Potosi, Missouri.
A Memorial Service was held Friday, December 21, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the Moore Funeral Home, Potosi, Missouri. Memories of Austin were shared by his brother, Matt, brother-in-law, RP, special guest, St. Louis Cardinal Hall of Fame Member, Mr. Ozzie Smith and by others.
A Funeral Mass was Celebrated on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 1:00 PM at the St. Joachim Catholic Church, Old Mines, Missouri with Father Ted Piper officiating. Honoring Sgt. Pratt by serving as pallbearers were: Gabe Portell, Mikey Brown, Kevin Brown, Adam Politte, Jimmy “Toast” Politte, Nick “Stick” Portell, Josh “Tonto” Portell, Justin Dayton, Paul Ricketts, Ryan Heller, Jeffrey Brown, Clint Portell, Denny Brown, Jamie “Ziggy” Brown and Chris Brown.
Final Prayers and Burial took place in the St. Joachim Catholic Cemetery, Old Mines, Missouri where Sgt. Austin David “Ozzie” Pratt received full military honors consisting of a firing team, taps, flag folding and presentation along with the Posthumous Awards. The V.F.W. and American Legion Post posted colors and stood guard at the cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Austin D. Pratt Memorial Fund.
Sergeant Clifton Childers 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Scout Platoon served as a personal escort for Sergeant Pratt during his return home from Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware. The United States Army Sergeant Doug Alexander assisted the family with his services and contacts to special services with the United States Army. Specialist Zachery Millbrand and other military friends attended and offered support to the family.
The Patriot Guard gave assistance in escorting Sergeant Pratt from St. Louis International Airport to Potosi and from the funeral home to St. Joachim Church and Cemetery, along with a Missouri State Highway Patrol, Washington County Sheriffs office, Potosi Fire Protection District and Washington County Ambulance District.
Services were Entrusted to the Care and Direction of the Moore Funeral Homes, 105 Clark Street, Potosi, Missouri.
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