Houston Radio Legend Jim Pruett Passes

Jim Pruett Was 72

JIM PRUETT, half of the legendary KLOL/HOUSTON radio team of STEVENS AND PRUETT died of heart disease last FRIDAY (9/2). He was 72.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news of JIM's passing," said a statement from PRUETT's family. "He was a wonderful husband to his wife JOY for 51 years and father to three sons SAM, ZAC and ERIC. He was an inspiration to many and a faithful Christian."

PRUETT, Along with partner MARK STEVENS, who died in 2011 at age 76, had huge success in HOUSTON for years, first under the name of HUDSON and HARRIGAN before deciding to use their actual names for many years on KLOL. Both are members of the TEXAS Radio Hall of Fame.

STEVENS was fired by the station in 2000, but PRUETT continued with the show until the station changed its format to Spanish-language pop music in 2004. After leaving radio, PRUETT, a Second Amendment advocate, opened a gun store that closed in 2014.

Several former KLOL staffers remember PRUETT with love and admiration. PAT FANT, PRUETT's lifelong friend and former GM at KLOL told ALL ACCESS, "JIM was an artist on the radio.  We first shared a studio when I was 19.  JIM showed me that it was OK to be the way I am, the way we both were, to think and imagine endlessly and never apologize for it.  He let me share a room at Ice Station JIMMY and I never checked out.  He hasn’t either, I can assure you of that.”

Former STEVENS AND PRUETT news woman MARTHA MARTINEZ said, "I miss 'JAMMY' already, but I will never, ever lose the memory of his smile and the love in his soul. I know JIMMY tricked death more than once, and I believe I know why: he married his Guardian Angel JOY fifty one years ago."

Former KLOL midday hostess DAYNA STEELE told ALL ACCESS, "JIM PRUETT always had a kind word, a hug, a hysterical aside, something memorable to leave me with each day as he walked out of the control room and as I took over the airwaves from the Radio Gawds. As he walks out of this final control room door, he leaves us all with a lesson on how to live a life well each and every day."

Former KLOL Marketing/Promotion Director DOUG HARRIS told ALL ACCESS, "JIM PRUETT made my promotions job a breeze.  Playfully creative, quick with quip or a comeback, and great with listeners. A good man, a brilliant talent, a devoted husband/father/grandfather, a warrior, a patriot, and loyal friend to man and beast. He was the guy his dog thought he was.  We should all be so lucky."

According to the PRUETT family, While Services are pending, funeral arrangements will be private and a public memorial service will be held.

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