GREENSBORO - Dr. Dean Butler Pruette, 93, a former superintendent of the High Point city schools, died Jan. 14, 2003, after a brief illness.

For the past eight years he had made his home at Friends Homes West in Greensboro. He was born Aug. 18, 1909, in Boiling Springs, a son of James Leroy and Ella Kirby Pruette.

He was graduated from Limestone College in 1933, received his master's of education degree from the University of North Carolina in 1941, and while serving as High Point superintendent earned his doctorate of education degree from Columbia University in 1954. His years in the field of local education began in 1942 and were soon interrupted by his obligation to the U.S. Navy, during which time he helped to establish the Military Government in Japan in the immediate post-war period. After his military service, he returned to High Point to resume his career as principal of High Point Junior High School (now Ferndale). In 1952 he was appointed superintendent of the High Point city schools, from which position he retired in 1975 after 23 years of dedicated leadership. In 1977 the former administration building of the High Point city schools on English Road was renamed the Dean B. Pruette Educational Services Building in his honor.

His civic contributions included the chairmanship of the High Point Housing Authority, membership on the board of directors of the YMCA, leadership of the High Point District Boy Scouts of America, and longtime service on the executive board of the Uwharrie Council of the Boy Scouts, receiving the Silver Beaver Award in 1965. He was a faithful member of the High Point Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow and was a former chairman of the board of deacons of the First Baptist Church of High Point. In addition, he made the original proposal to the Guilford County Commissioners in 1957 for the establishment of an Industrial Education Center near Jamestown. This proposal led to what is now Guilford Technical Community College.

In 1935 he married the former Rosalie McMurtrey, who preceded him in death on Sept. 21, 1979. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Marilyn Pruette Peters.

His survivors include his sons, Dean Mac Pruette and his wife, Dana, of 7279 Woodside Court, Denver, N.C. 29037 and David Pruette and his wife, Eugenia, of 1328 Georgetown Court, High Point. His family also includes grandchildren Brian Pruette and wife, Sherry, of Sanford, Barry Pruette of Greensboro and Andrew Pruette and wife, Gina, of Winston-Salem; and a great-grandchild, Evan Pruette. His three surviving sisters are Mary Sue Jarrett of Shelby, Eloise Livingstone of Charlotte and Rosalind Gardner of Columbia, S.C.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at First Baptist Church in High Point by the Rev. William Slater. Interment will be at Floral Garden Park Cemetery. The family will be at Cumby Family Funeral Service, 1015 Eastchester Drive in High Point on Friday, Jan. 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to Friends Homes West, 6100 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27410; First Baptist Church, 405 N. Main St., High Point, NC 27260; or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on January 16, 2003