yesterday's tennessee

Charlie W. Pratt

Decatur Hospital Gets New Administrator

PARSONS, Tenn. - Charlie W. Pratt has been elected as administrator of the Decatur County Hospital located in Parsons.  He succeeds Jack Jordan who has resigned to accept a position in Sevierville, Tenn.

Pratt has been serving as business manager of the local hospital since 1964.

He is a retired Navy man, holding the title of lieutenant commander. He served from 1923 until 1953. He was assigned to recruiting duty in Johnson City in 1940.

When World War II broke out, he was sent to active duty to Kaneohoe, Hawaii, where he was in charge of torpedo shots. When he returned to the States he was in charge of Naval Airborne in San Diego. He was assigned to U.S. Aircraft Carrier Essex during the Korean war.

He returned to Camden to live on his farm with his mother after his retirement. He has one son, Danny Pratt.

He became very active in PTA work and did substitute teaching in Benton County public schools. He was elected a member of the Benton County Board of Education. He is a member of the Camden VFW and the American Legion.

Pratt finished high school at Green Forrest, Ark., and completed his education in Logan, N.M.

He moved to Parsons In 1960 and is a member of the Parsons Methodist Church, a steward on the official board, is a member of the Methodist Men's Club and chairman of the audit committee.

He is active in the V.F.W. Post 4971, serving as Quartermaster beginning his third term. He has served as Eighth District Commander, West Tennessee Membership Chairman and is a promoter of the Little League. He promoted the first "Voice of Democracy" program in the schools in Decatur County.

He served as City Recorder and Judge in Parsons from 1962 until 1964. He is a member of the American Legion and Moose.

He is married to the former Imogene Townsend Smith and they reside at 210 Fourth Street in Parsons.