Dennis Everett Pruitt

Dennis was born on August 14, 1945, to John and Frances Pruitt. He grew up in Lenexa, Kansas, with his sister, Karen and three brothers, Ken, Jim, and Jeff. After graduating from St. Joe Shawnee High School in Shawnee, Kansas, he attended Benedictine College, then transferred to the University of Kansas, graduating with a degree in Journalism. He valiantly served his country in the Vietnam War and built a successful career as an advertising copywriter, working at various Kansas City-based agencies.

More than anything, Dennis was a family man, marrying the love of his life, Kathy, on September 21, 1968. They spent 58 wonderful years together, raising their three children, Kristina (Devon), Michael (Jaime), and Nicholas (Dara), and loving on their grandchildren Norah, Lucy, Henry, Faye, Brea, Chase, and Jewlyana.

He found joy in retirement by continuing his love of writing, authoring three novels. He enjoyed eating BBQ with friends and members of the “Buckhorn He-Man BBQ Lovers Association of America”, lunching with his brother, Ken, and mutual friends, trips to the Ozarks with his high school buddies, and rooting for his favorite sports teams, the Kansas Jayhawks, the Kansas City Chiefs, and (sometimes) the Kansas City Royals.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Frances Pruitt; in-laws, Salvatore and Teresa Mentesana; and grandson, Cody.

A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Olathe, KS, on October 9th, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. after which there will be a short funeral service. Burial services will follow at 2:00 at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Overland Park, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation: https://www.dvnf.org/donation/