Craig Flynn Pruitt was born June 19, 1968, in Hobart, Oklahoma, to Harold Albert and Elva Marie (Flynn) Pruitt. At seven years old, Craig made a profession of faith and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Hobart. As a child, he was a member of the Royal Ambassadors and an eager participant in church and community activities.

Craig attended Hobart Public Schools, where he was a proud Bearcat. He excelled in athletics, participating in football, basketball, wrestling, and track, as well as serving actively in FFA. He was a member of the 1986 State Champion track team and was honored as the Senior Athlete of the Year upon graduating from Hobart High School in 1986.

Craig continued his education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University on a football scholarship and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He began his teaching and coaching career in Lone Wolf, where he also taught children to swim. During that time, he proudly helped two visually impaired boys learn not only to swim, but to bravely jump from the diving board—an early example of his natural gift for teaching and encouragement.

Craig’s coaching journey took him to Hinton, Anadarko, and back to Hinton again. He served as Defensive Coordinator in Anadarko for more than a decade and coached numerous sports throughout his long and dedicated career. In 2000, he coached the Hinton girls to a Class A State Track Championship and was voted Girls Track Coach of the Year. Over the years, he coached or was associated with six state championships.

Craig had a God-given talent for recognizing strengths and potential in young athletes. Even with the youngest children, he instinctively saw where they might excel—on the field, on the track, or in life. He was always willing to mentor other coaches, offer encouragement, and share his wisdom. His influence stretches across generations of athletes, colleagues, and friends who benefited from his leadership and heart.

Craig is survived by his mother, Elva Pruitt of Hobart, Oklahoma; his girlfriend, Stacey Gray of Norman; and his three children: Chelsea Ragap and fiancé Wesley Dickson of Weatherford, Bryce Pruitt and wife Kaitlyn of Weatherford, and Cameryn Pruitt and girlfriend Savannah Williams of Weatherford. He is also survived by four grandchildren— Rylyn, Stevie, Briah, and Wyatt—as well as his aunt and uncle, Penny and Glenda Atkinson of Mangum, Oklahoma, and numerous cousins, extended family members, and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Pruitt, and his brother, Harold “Wendell” Pruitt.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hinton Track Program, P.O. Box 1036, Hinton, OK 73047.

Services honoring Coach Craig Pruitt will be held Friday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m. in the Hinton Coliseum in Hinton, Oklahoma, with Pastor Mark Lumpkin officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Lone Wolf Cemetery in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma.

Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TurnerFuneralHomes