Earl Pruitt

Earl Pruitt, previously a longtime resident of Kalispell, died Feb. 9, 2007, at his home in El Dorado Springs, Mo., at the age of 68 after a brief but very heroic battle with cancer.

Earl was born to Byron and Bertha Pruitt in Ontario, Calif., on May 27, 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Ken; beloved stepmother, Etoile Pruitt; and brother, Clint.

Earl moved to Kalispell in 1977 from Oregon, taking a job offered to him while he was here on vacation earlier that year, working as a mechanic with the Flathead County Road Department until 1982, when he purchased Fire Systems Unlimited.

In 1997, Earl sold that business and set up shop in his garage, learning to make custom-made knives totally from scratch. This craft, hobby and livelihood was to become the passion of his life. He was a master at making various styles of knives as well as hatchets, sheaths, daggers and tomahawks, crafting masterpieces desired by many, not only for gift giving, but also for hunting and collector's items, and his craftsmanship ended up in many places across the U.S.

At the time of his death he continued to operate this same business, Wolverine Knives, from his home in Missouri.

He is survived by his children, Marci Pruitt of Kalispell, Byron Pruitt of Canada, Shari Baney and her children, Anthony and Alyssa of Washington, and Dan Pruitt and his children, Cody and Dani, of Texas. Among his other surviving family members are his siblings, Don Pruitt of Janesville, Calif., Jimmy Pruitt of Pamona, Calif., Ardella Plott of Green Forest, Ark., Ann Chavarria of Portland, and Betty Davis of Berryville, Ark.

Earl never knew a stranger and leaves behind a host of friends and relatives who will remember him always for many things, including his bravery during his illness.

No formal services will be held. Cremation has taken place, and Earl will be laid to rest in Montana.