Frederic Joseph Edward Pruitt

Frederic Joseph Edward Pruitt was born in Vernon, Kentucky on September 4,1925. The son of Jesse Virgil Pruitt and Zelma Dyer Pruitt, the name on his birth certificate was Edward Pruitt. He officially changed it later. He was one of eight children, six of whom preceded him in death: William George Pruitt, Jesse Paul Pruitt, Ruby Tee Scott, Annie Lee Musser, Roy Sherman Pruitt, and Eliza Mae Glenn.

He is survived by one sister, Elizabeth Ione Stevens who is 102. Also, he
is survived by 20 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

Frederic Joseph Pruitt’s family lived on a farm near Tompkinsville, Kentucky until hard times hit in the Depression when they moved north to Fowler, Indiana. He finished high school there and then enrolled in the
Indiana School of Beauty. After working at the L.S. Ayres hair salon in downtown Indianapolis, he set off on an adventure in his twenties and moved to New York City. Known as Mr. Frederic, he cut a stylish figure as he styled women’s hair, eventually owning his own salon called the Idle Hour in midtown Manhattan.

He enjoyed his work, going back to Indiana to see family, and taking care of his mother who was widowed at a young age. Frequent vacations in Florida led to his love of the beach and warm weather; in the 1980’s he left New York and permanently moved to a condo on the beach in Fort Lauderdale.

Mr. Pruitt was a fan of long-distance phone calls. He loved staying connected to his mother until her death, and to other family members by phoning regularly. With a good memory and a flair for storytelling, he shared memories of his early life on the farm, running free in the woods with his sister Ruby, and later stories of his life and experiences in the big city. He had a sense of humor and was adept at delivering humorous stories and punchlines.

He was a frugal man in most aspects of his life except when it came to cars. He enjoyed driving a white Cadillac and owned many over the years.

There will be a celebration of life for family held in Indiana in the coming months.

A private burial with family who wish to attend will be held at the Bailey Cemetery in Hestand, Kentucky on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., Central time. He will be buried next to his beloved parents.

Bartley & Sons Funeral Home considers it an honor to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Pruitt, and his family at this time.