George Clifford Pratt
April 1, 1932 - August 3, 2022
Obituary
George Clifford Pratt was born to George Cameron Pratt and Glenna Leone Milton Pratt on April 1, 1932 on the family farm in Rockford, Washington. He was the second of three children with his older brother Milton and his younger sister Joanne. George was baptized and placed on the cradle roll of the Rockford Methodist Church on August 19, 1932.
George attended school in Rockford from the first grade through high school. In addition to helping with farm chores, he played football, basketball, baseball. He was a member of Future Farmers of America and the Boy Scouts of America. George achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
After graduating from Rockford High School, George attended Washington State University, but then transferred to Eastern Washington College of Education (EWC). It was there, while taking a class on the literature of the Bible, that he discerned a call to Christian ministry. It was also at EWC that he met his wife, Elizabeth Ann Baldwin. They were married on July 25, 1954 at Westminster Congregational Church in Spokane, Washington. Just a few weeks later, they traveled to Evanston, Illinois, where George began his training at Garrett Evangelical Seminary.
George served small churches while in seminary, and then after graduation returned to Washington State to begin his ministry at the Fall City United Methodist Church. He served the church in Fall City for thirteen years. It was there they raised their four children, Mary, Cathy, Jim, and Belinda.
As a part of his ministry, George led members of the church, community, and surrounding region to produce the Fall City Passion Play, which was performed on weekends leading up to Easter in the school gym from 1959 to 1988. He saw the power of theater to share faith and build community, and thus he led the group to expand beyond the annual passion play to form the Christian Players. The group purchased one hundred acres and built an amphitheater with a view of Snoqualmie Falls. In time, it became the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater. Each summer, they offered weekend dinner theater with a steak barbecue and plays that ranged from melodrama to Shakespeare. He took a four-year leave from pastoral ministry to serve as executive director.
In 1976, George returned to pastoral ministry at the Seaview United Methodist Church in West Seattle, where he served for twenty years. He encouraged community engagement through hosting 12-step and other small groups at the church. He also built relationships with the growing community of Tongans in the Seattle area.
On behalf of the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, George chaired the committee that led the celebration of the 250th anniversary of John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience, a key moment in the development of the Methodist movement. He, once again, utilized theater to tell the story of John Wesley and other important leaders of the Methodist movement.
After his retirement, George became active in the retired clergy association. He encouraged his colleagues to write down and share the stories of their spiritual journeys at their monthly meetings. In 2011, George and Elizabeth moved to Wesley Homes in Des Moines where he lived until his death on August 3, 2022.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Cam and Leone, his brother Milt, and his son-in-law George Cooney. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his sister Joanne Abey, his daughter Mary Cooney, his daughter Catharine Morris (Peter), his son James Pratt (Karen Brubeck), and his daughter Belinda Burkitt (Chip). He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 25th at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Wesley Gardens, 815 216th St., Des Moines. The Rev. Jeremy Smith, pastor of Seattle First United Methodist Church, will officiate. Memorial gifts may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), umcmission.org/give-to-umcor/, or the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, PO Box 249, Fall City, WA 98024.
Our deepest sympathy to Belinda, Jane and families! May the Lord wrap you in his arms and give you strength in the days ahead! All our love and prayers….Scott and Beth Sterk
We have lost a truly passionate and great man. My heart breaks for you all and I pray His peace over Elizabeth, Mary, Cathy, Jim, Belinda and the entire family. In deep sympathy and love, Sharon
I am so sorry for your loss. Rev. Pratt was a wonderful man with many talents. Praying for your entire family. With love, Mary and Dave Baunsgard
So good to learn about all the positive experiences George created. His influence will continue to change lives positively.
I remember George so fondly… always a kind word and comforting presence at church every Sunday. He had a way of making me feel seen and valued even in a short greeting. Sending my love and condolences to Elizabeth and the family as you honor his life and legacy.
George was so very generous to me. When I felt like a “failing Christian”, he assured me I was “more Christian that a lot of folks he knew”. Bless you up there in Heaven, George, as I know that is exactly where you are.