Jaykob Ray Pruitt

Specialist Jaykob Ray Pruitt, 19, of Bennington, Okla., was chasing his military dreams when he entered his Eternal Rest during active duty on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Jaykob was born on July 27, 2003, in Denver, Colo., to loving parents Michael and Bobbie Pruitt.

Jaykob and his family moved to Bennington in 2007, where he attended school and was the valedictorian of his 8th grade graduating class and was a 2021 graduate of Bennington High School. A well-loved student and friend of many, Jaykob held several offices in the FFA, including President his senior year. He was also Captain of the Academic Team, and a member of the National Honor Society.

Jaykob enlisted in the United States Army National Guard, beginning his military career 4 days after graduation. At the time of his death, his MOS was 19 D Calvary Scout. During his nearly two years of military service, Pruitt earned several awards and decorations including the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon Besides the military, Jaykob previously held multiple jobs, including working at the stockyard in Durant.

An avid outdoorsman, Jaykob enjoyed archery, shooting sports, hunting, AirSoft, playing golf, fishing, and most recently, bull riding. He excelled at all the events at YHEC (Youth Hunter Education Challenge), taking home multiple medals including winning senior grand champion. He was creative, talented, and was always making something like bull whips, silver smithing, or surprise gifts for those he cared about. Jaykob, also known to his family as “Scoots” and friends as “Poncho Punchy” or “Whiplash”, was generous, brilliant, kind-hearted, and befriended everyone he met.

Jaykob will be laid to rest with full military honors. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Rod Ham and great-grandfather, Dutch Anderson.

He is survived by his parents, Michael and Bobbie Pruitt, and his younger brother, Kody, all of the home; grandmother, Brenda Jerrold; grandfather, Dennis Anderson and wife Laurie; granny, Joyce Ladner-Rupp; great-grandmother, Betty Anderson; aunts and uncles, Kris and Karen Pruitt, Ladd Anderson, Heather Anderson, Amber Anderson, Cole Ernst, and Corey Denning and numerous cousins, extended family and chosen family.

Funeral services to honor Jaykob will be held at noon on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Bennington High School Gymnasium. Pastor George Toma will officiate. MG Thomas Mancino Adjutant General, Oklahoma National Guard will be speaking. Interment will follow with Full Military Honors at Wade Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Friday evening at 6 p.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Home.