George "Coach" Pratt

Obituary

George passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at the age of 89 under hospice care in Colorado. His life was defined by the people he loved, the students he encouraged, and the friendships he made wherever he went. Known to many simply as “Coach,” George had a ready smile, an extraordinarily positive spirit, and a way of making people want to pull up a chair and stay awhile.

George loved people, and people loved George. Whether you knew him from school, the sidelines, the neighborhood, or a chance encounter at the store, he had time for you. A ten-minute errand could easily turn into an hour because there was always someone to catch up with or someone new to meet. He was happiest sharing stories, having a laugh, or enjoying a cold Yuengling with friends. Wherever George lived, he became someone people sought out, counted on, and were simply happy to see.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Clarence and Mary (Boyer) Pratt, George was their only child. He was senior class vice president and captain of the baseball team at Ann Arbor High School before accepting a baseball scholarship to Western Michigan University, where his team placed third in the Men’s College World Series. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a minor in Industrial Arts, followed by a master’s degree in Education. His love of baseball also took him to the mound as a pitcher for the Ann Arbor Travelers, a semi-professional team. His stories included meeting Jackie Robinson at his school and being invited to play a round of golf with Jesse Owens after meeting him on a golf course at Western Michigan.

While in Kalamazoo, George met his first wife, Susan (Smith) Pratt. Together they moved to Carsonville and then Romulus, welcoming Leigh and Roger along the way. In 1972, he accepted a job in Bellaire, sight unseen, and moved the family north. Their son Adam arrived during their years there. Teaching, coaching, raising a family, and making lifelong friends filled those years. After Susan passed away in 1995, George found comfort in his family and the many friendships he had built.

For 40 years, George taught students how to make things and helped them see what they were capable of. His woodworking program, “The Flying Chips of Bellaire,” earned blue ribbons at the state competition for at least 25 consecutive years, and his peers recognized him as a Master Teacher of Woodworking. He took pride in his students and cared about the people they were becoming as much as the projects they made.

On the playing field, Coach believed every athlete had something to offer. He taught the value of teamwork, leadership, and giving your all, and his commitment to his players never depended on the scoreboard. His dedication earned him induction into the Michigan High School Football Hall of Fame, an honor presented by former Michigan coaches Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr, whom George knew through high school coaching. Even after retiring from teaching, he kept coaching, and even after he stopped coaching, he kept finding his way back to the team.

George was fortunate to find true love twice. In 2002, he married Sue Wisney and welcomed Nick and Anna Hagel into his family. George and Sue made their home in Gaylord, Michigan, where he was soon back on the sidelines, shagging footballs as Anna practiced her placekicking and timing her on the track for her Michigan State speed tests. Anna and her high school soccer teammates called him “Happy,” a name that followed him ever after. George and Sue eventually settled in North Fort Myers, Florida, returning to Michigan and Colorado to spend time with family and friends.

George was a much-loved part of every community he joined. In Florida, he co-founded both the “Grumpy Old Men,” an ironic name for someone like George, and the “Three Amigos.” These groups repaired fences and docks, painted, built, and took on whatever needed doing. George brought his skills and his willingness to help, but the time spent together mattered just as much. He even stepped in as a substitute water aerobics instructor, much to everyone’s delight. He showed up, joined in, and made himself useful, usually with a smile and something to talk about.

A devoted University of Michigan fan, George carried on a family tradition that began with his grandfather taking tickets at Regents Field and later Ferry Field. His father began taking tickets at Michigan Stadium when it opened in 1927, and George joined him from a young age. The family’s streak of home-game attendance ended with George’s first wedding in 1962, a scheduling decision his friends never let him forget. Through decades of memorable Saturdays, he remained a true Michigan Man.

For all his accomplishments, it is George’s kindness, humor, and genuine interest in others that people will remember most. He cared deeply about his family, his friends, his students, and his athletes. He listened, encouraged, stayed in touch, and made people feel that they mattered. He was the person others gathered around, and his friendships lasted across decades and distances.

One of his greatest legacies lives in the people he encouraged. George inspired many of his players to become coaches and his students to become leaders, passing his lessons on to their own children, teams, and communities. His influence reached far beyond his classrooms and playing fields, touching generations he would never meet.

He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by the many people fortunate enough to have known him.

George is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Susan (Smith) Pratt. He is survived by his wife, Sue Wisney; his children, Leigh Carpenter (Vince), Roger Pratt (Janet), Adam Pratt (Sara), Nick Hagel (Danielle), and Anna Hagel (Steve); his grandchildren, Alyssa, Jeffrey, Rob, Dan, Scott, David, Ella, Norah, Charlotte, and Emerson; six great-grandchildren; a niece; and four nephews.

Raise a Glass to George

George made friends and touched lives everywhere he went, so we’ll be honoring him with a series of informal gatherings in the year ahead, first in Denver, then in Florida, and finally next spring in Bellaire, Michigan. Each will be a chance to come together, share stories, laugh, and raise a glass to the man we loved.

We’ll share locations, dates, and times here and through Sue’s Facebook posts as plans come together.

Denver, Colorado: Details to come

North Fort Myers, Florida: Details to come

Bellaire, Michigan: Spring 2027, details to come

Gallery

Memory wall