Bethlehem, Georgia-based Harrison Poultry on Tuesday announced that Curtis Pruett, who served as the company’s chief financial officer for more than 50 years, died on Friday. He was 90 years old.
Pruett became Harrison Poultry’s first employee in July 1959, and he served as CFO until he retired in February 2010. He was a trusted, lifelong friend of Harrison Poultry’s founder, R. Harold Harrison.
R. Harold Harrison often said he trusted Pruett with his finances more than he trusted himself, and once noted that he owed more of his success to Curtis than to anyone. Harrison appointed Pruett and his wife, Virginia, to the Board of Directors for The Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation, named for Harrison’s parents. Pruett was a committed and loyal lifetime member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and worked with Harrison to oversee the building of the existing church facilities.
“Those at Harrison Poultry who had the privilege of working with Curtis will deeply miss him,” the company said in a statement. “He was well respected by all who knew him — not only for his financial expertise but also for his kind, humble and gentle demeanor. Mr. Pruett’s friendly smile was recognized throughout the community.”
