Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Dale "Arkie" F. Pruett

Dale "Arkie" F. Pruett, 75, of Kimball, died at Kimball Health Services on Monday, July 18, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball with Pastor Mel Daves officiating. Burial will be in the Kimball Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. Friends may visit http://www.cantrellfh.com to view Arkie's Tribute Wall and leave condolence and stories for the family. Memorials have been established to either the Kimball County Ambulance or the Kimball Health Services Foundation. The services for Arkie have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Dale Franklin Pruett, otherwise known as Arkie to friends and family, was born on February 17, 1941 the son of Eugene and Nana Mae (Grimes) Pruett. Dale grew up farming in Melbourne, Arkansas with his Mother Nana Mae, Step-Father Ira Harvel and 3 sisters. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1959. After graduation, at the age of 18, Arkie was traveling to Washington to pick apples when his automobile broke down in Kimball. He got a job at a local filling station in order to earn money and have access to tools to fix his car. Instead of hitting the road, Arkie met his future wife, Joan Steele. Dale and Joan were united in marriage on September 12, 1962. Together they built an amazing life, making several close friends and having two children, Jimmie Dale and Betty Sue Pruett. Arkie worked long hard days as an oilfield hand for many local producers such as Dale Cannon for 5 years and Eatmon's Well Service for 12 year , at which point Dale and Joan moved their family to Byers, Colorado where he worked for R&R Service for 2 years. In 1980, Dale started Arkie's Well Service, a business he and Joan operated for 20 years. He sold the business in 2000 and did oil field consulting until retiring in 2005. Dale enjoyed fast cars, owning 3 corvettes, among other classics. In his younger days Arkie also enjoyed racing his fast cars and watching any sporting events. He loved to take his children and grandchildren boating, skiing, fishing and camping. He loved to garden, play cards with the guys and spending time with his family including Ace (Acey) and Yogi, his dogs. Arkie will be missed by many.

Survivors include his wife Joan Pruett of Kimball, NE; son Jimmie Dale (Diann) Pruett of Kimball, NE; daughter Betty Sue (Jim) Schulte of Kimball, NE; grandchildren Garrett Pruett, Dalton Pruett, Steven Schulte and Jodell Schulte; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Anna Jackson, Katheryn Taylor, and Karen Woken.