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Obituary for Thomas Russell Pruet (aka, Tommy, Tony, Dad, Tom, Coach, Uncle, Grandpa, TuTu Kane, Kane Kane, Koma, Bruddah and More….) Born Thomas Russell Pruett in 1938, to Julia Ahlo and Russell Pruett, on the island of Oahu. Growing up in Hawaii, with three younger brothers, James, Hubert and Ray Pruett. Surrounded by ohana and hanai, blessed Tommy with the unique “Island Spirit” and kindness he is known for and shared until he passed, September 22, 2021, in California. When Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, Tommy was very young, but he never forgot the scary noises and glow of ﬁre in the sky. He was the ﬁrst Pruett son to leave for the “mainland.” Before leaving the island of Oahu, Tommy attended the Kamehameha Schools. He lived here with other keiki’s, becoming his hanai while looking forward to treasured visits home with o’hana. Anybody that knew Tommy knew he wasn’t a “proud man,” but took great pride in family, Hawaii and his Native Hawaiian heritage. Kamehameha primed his respect for family, heritage and sports! Tommy graduated with a football scholarship to North Dakota (temperature change)! Loved by many, Tommy left for the mainland with so many lei's around his neck “he could barely see!” This handsome young island man with “color, dark waves and curls” arriving in Washington, ﬁlled with “aloha” and draped in beautiful ﬂowers many mainlanders had never seen. It sounds like a classic Elvis movie! His modest upbringing with no television or travel and many times no shoes, made his ﬁrst “Greyhound” bus ride from Washington to North Dakota an adventure. We all know Tommy “never met a stranger.” So it didn’t take long for him to notice how curious and impressed other passengers were with the colors and scents of beautiful ﬂowers. So it didn't take long for Tommy to follow island tradition, greeting and sharing tropical ﬂowers with ladies (young and old) on the same bus. I'm certain a trip these ladies never forgot. Later in North Dakota, Tommy joined the US Army, hoping to get back to Hawaii. But Private First Class Thomas Pruett only got to San Francisco. Stationed in SF is where he acquired one of his many aka’s “Tony”….they said he attracted attention like then “heart throb” Tony Curtis, handsome with dark wavy hair! He introduced himself as Tony in 1959 and married the mother of his four children in 1960. Known as Tony for 10 more years, then Tom and back to Tommy. His service included Missile Man and other accomplishments. In 1961 he was awarded a Life Saving Medal by the US Army. SanFrancisco Bay temperatures didn’t stop him from rescuing a drowning soldier from the cold waters. His armed service ended before making it back to Hawaii. Tommy wasn’t able to visit Hawaii again until his construction job, an Iron Worker brought him back to build the Aloha Stadium. This was the ﬁrst time in many years, “Mama Julia” was surrounded by all four of her sons. He worked on many structures in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Muanakea telescopes. Recently his great grandson was pinned in his honor, for 30+ years of service in local #378, where Tom also served as President. Over the years his “never met a stranger” spirit gave him many titles, little league coach, dads club, big brother, Special Olympics clown, block party king, friend and good neighbor. And I’m sure he’ll always be remembered for making and sharing his island specialty Kalua Pork. When Tom wasn’t working or doing for others, he watched and played many sports and sang karaoke. He was faithful to the 49’ers, SF Giants, Golf, Hawaii, tank tops and shorts! After retiring, Tommy visited Ka’a'awa regularly, always returning to his long time residence in California. In Hawaii and California, he was always surrounded by family and friends. If you were his friend your o'hana was too. Tommy wasn’t a “quitter” so his battle with cancer was long. His last days were ﬁlled with hoaloha’s, o’hana and hanai sharing memories and aloha’s. Tommy was preceded in death by his makua, his keikikane (son), Thomas T. Pruett, both sons in law, Oﬃcer David Haynes (EOW, 92) and Harlow Newton. He is survived by his three kaikamahime’s (daughters), Kyle Haynes, Lori Newton, Jamie Pruett and His last aloha, Linda. Grandpa/tutu kani, blessed his ﬁve grandchildren, Harlow III, Ciara, Morgan, Phillip, Brianna and two great grandchildren, Harlow IV and Lorianna with love and many memories. Forever in our hearts….

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Thomas Russell Pruett

July 22, 1938 - September 22, 2021