James Michael Pratt

James Michael Pratt, 79, of Wellston, Ohio, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family, on Saturday morning, October 3, 2026, at Holzer Medical Center- Gallipolis. He was born on Friday, September 5, 1947, in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to the late James Millard Pratt and Helen Hayman Pratt. James was a gifted boy who could read adult-level books at the early age of four. He learned to read and speak Spanish fluently and could say any foreign words no matter what language. He graduated Magna cum laude from the University of Rio Grande and also earned his Master's degree from Marshall University with Magna cum laude honors. If anyone had a question, they went to James, who was considered a "walking encyclopedia" long before Google. He retired as a clinical psychologist from RCI in Chillicothe, better known as the Ross County Correctional Institute on OH 104. He was married to Patricia Kisor Kelly-Pratt for 35 years who survives, along with his children: Julie Jarrell, James Pratt, Jonathan Pratt, Jeffery Pratt, Paul ( Pete ) Kelly, and April ( JaDonn ) Mapes; a brother, Gary Pratt; two sisters, Stella Kiesling and Sharron Patterson; many grandchildren and great grandchildren who are all loved; and a special grandson, Chase ( Dude ) Rolfe, whom he shared many hours with as his Pap. They hunted, worked with guns, fished, and did almost anything pertaining to the out doors. Besides his parents, James was preceded in death by two brothers, Johhny and Terry Pratt. A final goodbye will be by James' family at a later date. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the Jenkins Funeral Chapel of Wellston. Online condolences may be made at www.samjenkinsfuneralchapel.com