John Pravel

John Robert Pravel, 88, passed away on December 8, 2015 in McAllen, TX. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 18, 1927, to William Frank and Edith Roe Pravel.

John graduated from Lamar High School, Houston, in 1944. He enlisted in the US Navy and served in WWII, primarily in China and Japan. John graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago. He took great pride in his school and was always excited when people he knew chose to go to Northwestern. While in Chicago, John met his future wife, Judith MacArthur. They were married and moved to Dallas, TX.

John attended Baylor Dental School in Dallas and graduated with a DDS degree. Two of John’s children were born in Dallas: John Jr and Cathy. After graduation, the family moved to Houston, TX where John worked at the VA Hospital.

John’s first private practice as a dentist was in Caldwell, TX, where the family lived for seven years. Their youngest son, Thomas, was born in Caldwell. In 1967 the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. John attended Indiana University / Purdue University Indianapolis. He did research there and received a Master's Degree from IUPUI.

The family moved to the Texas Gulf Coast in 1971, living in Galveston and LaMarque. John worked in health clinics, providing dental care to the communities in that area. In 1974, John returned to private practice and the family moved to Lake Jackson, TX.

John and Judy retired to Caldwell, TX. They spent time at their beloved “farm” and their house in Caldwell. John later moved to McAllen, TX where Cathy and Felipe Salinas, their family and the McAllen community provided extra care and love to John.

John loved his family and friends. He had a great appreciation for music and nature. He loved taking walks and enjoyed working hard, especially if it was outdoor work. John will be missed by his family, friends and all who loved him.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Edith Pravel and his brother Bernarr (Bill) Roe Pravel. He is survived by his sister DiAnne Weston who lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Gary. John always looked up to his older brother Bill and adored his younger sister, DiAnne.

John’s children include John Pravel, Jr., Cathy (Felipe) Salinas and Thomas Pravel.

His grandchildren include Bryan Pravel, Alan Pravel, Brenda Priddy, Micah Pravel, Joshua Pravel, Elyse Pravel, Emily Pravel, Daniel Salinas, Benjamin Salinas, Rebecca Salinas, and Hannah Salinas.

Great-grandchildren include Dora Priddy and Nita Priddy.

The family would like to thank The Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home, Gracia Hospice, First Presbyterian Church and the McAllen community for their care and support of John Pravel.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Cardoza Funeral Home in Edcouch. A memorial service will take place Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at 10:30 am at First Presbyterian Church in McAllen, Texas. Burial will follow at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

For the newspaper obit (click here)