Mary and Parker Pratt
Perhaps many of our new members do not know Mary and Parker Pratt…the subject of this month’s “Spotlight” piece, so please allow me to introduce you to this engaging couple.
Mary and a friend of hers, Geneil Butler, joined the club shortly after meeting our founder, Zelda Lloyd. It was at a pruning demonstration at the Riverside Botanical Gardens, and Zelda’s enthusiastic personality persuaded the two ladies to join our rose society on the spot. Mary and Geneil were very active in the club for many years, from being on the board, helping maintain one of our first projects, Fairmount Park, participating in other new projects and activities, including all the yearly rose shows. Parker, although busy in his profession, always supported Mary and her work with the club – and later joined our society after his retirement.
Below is some interesting information about both of the Pratts:
Mary was born in Idaho. Parker was born in New Mexico, but grew up in Mexico. They met each other in Provo, Utah, where Mary was going to college at BYU. Parker was in the navy and was on Christmas leave. His cousin was living in the same dormitory as Mary and introduced the two. Their first date took place in 1942 and they went to see the movie “Gone With The Wind”. The couple dated for three days, doing things close to the campus. Then Parker went back to Logan, Utah where he was stationed and was soon shipped overseas.
They met again in Idaho where Mary was working at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise and Parker was stationed in Sun Valley. Parker and Mary were married after his discharge from the service in 1945, and made their home in Logan Utah. where Parker attended Utah State University and received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in soil chemistry. Thereafter the couple moved to Ames, Iowa, where at Iowa State College, Parker received his PhD in the same field. Their next move was to Columbus, Ohio, where for 4 years Parker taught in the Agriculture Science Department at Ohio State University. He taught agronomy, soil science and plant nutrition.
In 1955, the family moved to Riverside. Parker taught and did research at the university. For fifteen years he served as the chairman of what was then called the Soil Science Department, but today is called Environmental Sciences Department. He was at the university for thirty-two years. During this time he took two sabbaticals leaves, one to Brazil, one to Australia. In 1986, Parker retired from the university. After this retirement he served three years at the Director of the U.S. Salinity Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Dept. of Agriculture. He then served as a consultant for the North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Mary was trained as a bookkeeper, but after marriage, has led mostly a domestic life. Mary and Parker had four children – 2 boys and 2 girls. The oldest son is an MD, the younger works in a family business. One daughter is a nurse, the other is a clinical dietician. The children live in various states: Oregon, Utah, Texas and Georgia. Parker's profession took him to many countries throughout the world and often Mary was able to travel with him. The Pratts now have 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. They used to travel a lot to see their family, but now traveling is up to the children.
Health problems have become a part of the Pratts everyday life and has limited much of their activity. They do remain involved in their church. Mary keeps up with the “computer age” and enjoys her reading as well as name extraction for the massive LDS Geneology Library located in Salt Lake City. She is especially fond of historical novels. She belongs to a book club which has a monthly discussion led by individuals members.
Both Mary and Parker belong to the “Life Society,” L.I.F.E. which stands for “Learning is Forever” for anyone fifty-five or over, Sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension Service and includes discussion groups, lectures, seminars, small study groups and educational tours. The challenge of continually learning keeps the “diamonds” sparkling in the Pratts’ lives.
The lovliest couple you could ever hope to meet – and we wish these dear friends the best of everything, especially improved health. Come see us when you can Mary and Parker!
