LaVerle Arlo Pratt (1943-2024) peacefully transitioned to “God’s End Zone” on April 2, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. Pratt grew up in Boise, Idaho where he attended Borah High School and was mentored by legendary head coach, Ed Troxel. Pratt was the captain of the Borah football team leading them to three state championships. He went on to the University of Idaho where he became a defensive standout and All-American linebacker. After college, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals but due to a traumatic leg injury, he played in the Canadian football league for four years. He also played one season with the Spokane Shockers. After his football playing days were over, Pratt became a high school teacher, football, and track and field coach. He taught history, government, PE, and weightlifting, and enjoyed mentoring youth along the way. He was the longtime head football coach in Emmett, Idaho where he built the program and won the Snake River Valley Conference (SRVC) Championship in 1994-95. From there, he moved on to Kennewick, Washington where he rejoined Troxel and coached football and track until his retirement. In 1998, Pratt was inducted into the Idaho High School Football Hall of Fame at Boise State Stadium. He retired in 2005 to Elk City, Idaho. Pratt was larger than life with a booming personality, tough exterior, and gentle heart. He was most at peace camping in the mountains of Idaho with his yellow lab and son by his side. He is survived by stepdaughters, Shannon McKenzie and Amber McKenzie, sons, Tony Pratt and Jason Maxwell, and several grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father, LaVerle Pratt, Sr., and mother, Katherine (Kay) Harriett Pratt, and many aunts and uncles. Services to celebrate his legendary life will be held on Saturday, May 18 at 5pm at the Shadle Park Library in Spokane, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in memory of LaVerle Pratt to the University of Idaho Vandal Scholarship Fund.
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