Following the deaths of their parents, the twins and their two older brothers, Hart and Fred, were raised by their maternal grandparents, Walter and Selma Cooper. Brent graduated from Herbert Hoover High School (Glendale, CA) in 1953 and from Brigham Young University in 1962 with a B.S. in geology and four seasons on the BYU baseball team. He served an LDS mission in West Germany from 1957-60. After receiving his MD in 1966 from the California College of Medicine (now UC Irvine), Brent interned at LDS Hospital. While working at the BYU Health Center in 1968, he met Sue Fraughton, a secretary to the president of the Language Training Mission (now MTC). They were married for 28 years and had seven children.
Brent’s professional achievements included service as a Navy physician on Midway Island from 1969-70, a second residency in orthopedic surgery in Los Angeles from 1974-78 and several years of assistance to BYU athletic teams. For the last 30 years, he has worked weekdays at medical clinics in Southern California and spent weekends in Orem near his family and BYU home football games. He also enjoyed traveling to away games, including recent trips to Pasadena, Phoenix and San Diego.
Brent was a fan not only of travel and sports, but of classical music, opera, high-end cars, suspense novels, photography and any entree from Market Street Grill. He sharpened his fine motor skills by building model ships. Whether playing the piano by ear or diagramming a complex surgery on (usually someone else’s) restaurant napkin, Brent was eager to share his talents and interests. He was an original, and will be missed.
Brent is survived by seven children, sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank members of the Sunset Heights 2nd Ward and the hospital staff for their kind service. Special appreciation goes to Jennifer Wright, whose devotion and commitment to Brent’s rehabilitation allowed him to persevere in his determination to work as a physician as long as possible.
A public open house is planned for Thursday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Both events will take place at the LDS chapel on 1260 South 400 West in Orem. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cougar Club’s General Scholarship fund. Condolences may be offered to the family online at WalkerSanderson.com.
Brent Pratley Memorial Service
Book on Early Life of Brent Pratley
Sue Pratley
Internet info:
Born to Henry Hart Pratley. and Gladys Orell Cooper. His father was a geologist. Had a brother named Fred Pratley.
Brent's mother died when he was 2 from epilepsy and his father died from stomach problems when Brent was 6.
Dr. Pratley is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon that specializes in Occupational Medicine and Sports Rehabilitation with more than 30 years experience in reconstructive arthroscopic surgery of the upper and lower extremities.
Dr. Pratley, graduated from the University Of California Irvine College Of Medicine, and completed his residency at LAUSC Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He later served as the Team Physician for BYU (Brigham Young University) and functioned as the Olympic Games Physician in 1984
Dr. Pratley is an expert in providing worker’s compensation consultations, that include impairment ratings, and report preparation based on the 5th edition, AMA guidelines.
Dr. Pratley is conducting Workers Compensation and Personal Injury consultations at his Pomona office. An approved California Medical Provider Network (MPN) and numerous national workers compensation networks. Found on the internet.
Story: A couple of people mentioned what a nut he is and I can attest to that!!!! His personal vehicle at the Y when I first went there in 1954 was a Cadillac hearse. We would all pile into the back of it and go to the football games. If we had to stop for a red light on Main he would yell out "Chinese fire drill!!!" All of the doors would fly open and everyone, including Brent, jumped out, raced around the hearse and tried to be back in before the light turned green. Kay Don Frost
Dave C, Brent and I and guy named Roger Miller all roomed together one summer in a house up near where the Provo Temple now is. This was after we had all returned from our missions. Dave and I would cook one week and Brent and Roger the next. Brent was cooking spaghetti and as he went to drain the pasta it fell into the sink. That didn't even faze Brent. He just put it back in the pot without even rinsing it. Dave and I stepped in to save the meal and sent Brent out to water the lawn. The next thing we knew Brent had every kid in the neighborhood involved in a giant water fight. By giant I mean this fight went on inside as well as outside the house. And every kid was soaked to the bone!!! After negotiating a truce and getting the kids to go home I remarked that we would be hearing from some of the parents. Sure enough, the woman next door knocked on our door about eight the next morning. Two of her boys had been in the thick of it. They made me answer the door and to my surprise she had a gallon jug of homemade root beer and was holding it out to me. When she saw the surprise on my face she explained that her oldest boy who has just turned 12 was adamant that he was not going on mission. For him - life would be over and he could not possibly have any fun after serving a mission. Our water fight had proved him wrong and he was willing to admit it. He was now open to serving a mission. The jug of root beer was her way of expressing her thanks to us for what we had done for her son. Kay Don Frost
And still later, I had gone to Dave Callister for an eye examination. As we chatted during the examine we found ourselves going back to those crazy times a college. So as I went to make a follow-up appointment with the girls at the desk, I let them know that I was just a little concerned about the doctor and explained that this was the first time I had been asked to take my clothes off for an eye examine. I was totally unaware that Dave had followed me out and standing right behind me. He put his arm around me and explained to the girls that we had been roommates in college and I was a joker and had said that just to embarrass him. He then explained that what I had just done did not even hold a candle to what Brent had done to him. After Dave had examined Brent's eyes, Brent had stumbled out into the waiting room and kept bumping into the furniture. The room full of elderly women were terrified when Brent blasted out - "Oh doc, it is so much better since you fixed it!!!!" Dave really had a hard time convincing these patients that there was nothing wrong with Brent's eyes and that he was just putting on an act. Kay Don Frost
Story: In 1965 I was getting ready to go on a mission and Brent Pratley asked me if I wanted to go for a ride in his 1949 Cadillac. Half way through the ride he asked me if I wanted to drive it. My eyes opened wide and I replied, yes. It had five foot long front hood, was black and I found it was like driving a boat down the street. I has been fifty years and yet I can still feel the steering wheel in my hands.
He asked me if I was planning on a mission. I nodded. He said when you get ready to go, let me know. When I got the call I called him and told him. He said come by I have something for you. When I next saw him he handed me his credit card and said, go buy yourself the best suit you can for your mission. I went to Clarks in downtown Provo and purchased a suit with a reversible vest. A couple of months ago I contacted one of my companions and he told me that he thought I was the best dressed missionary in our mission. Thanks Brent. Kent Gardiner, 2015
Story: Legendary coach LaVell Edwards, who presented McMahon for the Hall of Fame via a video tribute, said that McMahon nearly left BYU after his sophomore season.
“I wasn’t really happy,” McMahon explained. “There were two people that I owe the rest of my BYU career to — one is Dr. Brent Pratley, who was our orthopedic surgeon at the time, and the other is my ex-wife, Nancy.” McMahon
McMahon said that without their friendship and support, he would have gone elsewhere.
Story: The team’s (BYU Football) doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every game to preserve and protect them. “(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my hand pads on before the game,” Buswell said.While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.“I would go from practice and change and run to teach my class,” Buswell said.
The
team’s doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell’s
artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every
game to preserve and protect them.
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
“I would go from practice and change and run to teach my class,” Buswell said.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
“I would go from practice and change and run to teach my class,” Buswell said.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
Because
of his experience with BYU legend LaVell Edwards, and with the likes of
Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Robbie Bosco and current BYU athletic
director Tom Holmoe, few would expect the beautiful art pieces Buswell
created to come from a running back.
The team’s doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell’s artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every game to preserve and protect them.
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
The team’s doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell’s artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every game to preserve and protect them.
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
Because
of his experience with BYU legend LaVell Edwards, and with the likes of
Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Robbie Bosco and current BYU athletic
director Tom Holmoe, few would expect the beautiful art pieces Buswell
created to come from a running back.
The team’s doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell’s artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every game to preserve and protect them.
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
The team’s doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell’s artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every game to preserve and protect them.
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
Because
of his experience with BYU legend LaVell Edwards, and with the likes of
Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Robbie Bosco and current BYU athletic
director Tom Holmoe, few would expect the beautiful art pieces Buswell
created to come from a running back.
The team’s doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell’s artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every game to preserve and protect them.
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
The team’s doctor, Dr. Brent Pratley, however, had seen firsthand Buswell’s artwork and fit Buswell with protective pads for his hands before every game to preserve and protect them.
“(Brent Pratley) was the one that had seen what I’d done and said, ‘You’re crazy to be out here,’ and he checked and made sure I had my handpads on before the game,” Buswell said.
While still a student, Buswell sculpted bronze statues of McMahon and BYU basketball great Danny Ainge. He also taught a night sculpting class for beginning to advanced non-majors.
- See more at: http://universe.byu.edu/2012/11/27/mixing-football-and-art/#sthash.RqPaKnGN.dpuf
I was too embarrassed to tell anyone, what with all the well-wishers and everyone expressing their pride in my decision. I don't remember anyone ever asking how I was going to pay for my mission.
Then, one day during a scrimmage, a linebacker tackled me on a sweep and his wrist came through the open part of my face mask and broke my nose. I was sent to team physician Dr. Brent Pratley, who was an interesting character. He drove a green Rolls Royce and a bright red Mercedes convertible coupe – in Provo, the Chevy Suburban capital of the world. He was flamboyant, loud, irreverent and just plain nuts.
As he was examining me, Dr. Pratley asked how I was paying for my mission. I replied I had saved a little and also got some more from my car accident.
"How much?"
"Oh, about $3,000."
"That's not enough."
"Well, it'll have to be because that's all I have."
Our appointment was finished, so he asked me to follow him into his office. On his desk were pictures of his family and about a dozen individual photographs of missionaries, who appeared to be serving all over the world. I recognized one of the men as Danny Frazier, the All-American candidate who was now serving a mission in Oakland, Calif. Dr. Pratley swept his hand over the dozen Elders on his desk and said proudly, "These are my missionaries. I'd like to add your picture to my desk."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Here's what I want you to do," Pratley said. "Bring me your $3,000 and I'll create an account for you. Whatever the shortfall is, I'll make it up so you and your parents won't have to worry about it."
Then he said, "I have an account at Mr. Mac's at the University Mall. When you're ready, just go up there and they'll take care all of your needs for your mission – shoes, socks, ties, shirts, suits, belts, overcoat, you name it."
I slumped in my chair I was so overcome with emotion.
Dr. Brent Pratley paid for my entire mission, but I was determined when I returned to repay every penny. Even for the new suits and batch of shirts and silk ties he sent halfway through my mission.
After I was honorably released, I returned to Provo for school and Dr. Pratley's office was my first stop.
I walked in proudly to show his money wasn't wasted. He hugged me for a long time and we both just wept. I thanked him over and over and promised him I'd repay every penny.
He wouldn't hear it. Dr. Pratley said to me, "You don't own me one penny, you've already paid me by serving honorably. But, if you want to repay me, do this: In the future when you are very successful, help someone pay for their mission."
Finally, after the hugs and tears, I walked out of his office and headed to the door. On the way, I passed his receptionist, who handed me an envelope.
I was still so emotional, I just grabbed it and stuck it in a binder I was holding.
A few days later, I came across the envelope.
It was a cashier's check for $3,000; all the money I had saved before leaving for South Dakota, with a note.
"You earned this, you should keep it. Love, Brent."
Story:
Re: THIS is why I love BYU football
I grew up in Provo and Brent Pratley was my orthopedic surgeon (a few minor high school football injuries). He was truly a nutty guy like Vai said (there's a bunch of sh** in your knee was how he explained the diagnosis to me), but a great man.
When Dr. Pratley asked about my family I told him my mom was raising 8 kids on her own after my dad died. Dr. Pratley said no single mom should have to pay for her boys' sports injuries. Everything was free as long as he was my doc.
I loved his office. He had signed pictures from all my favorite BYU heroes like Young and McMahon and Vai on his wall. It was a great place. I almost liked getting injured just so I could set up an appointment.
I went to med school partly because of Pratley's good example to me. I don't have any famous athletes' pictures in my clinic but a nice old patient the other day gave me a baseball card of himself from the 50's.
Pratley Home in the 1940s
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| 1331 N Pacific Avenue, Glendale, CA |
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| Pleasant Grove Review, 1956-06-28 |
BYU Baseball
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| 1956 |
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| 1956 |
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| BYU, 1957 |
Research:
LA Times/7-26-1941
"PRATLEY. Services for Henry Hart Pratley today, 12:30 PM, at Wee Kirk o'the Heather. Edwards Brothers' Colonial Mortuary, directors."
"PRATLEY. Services for Henry Hart Pratley today, 12:30 PM, at Wee Kirk o'the Heather. Edwards Brothers' Colonial Mortuary, directors."
Gladys in the 1900 census:
1920 census:
1930 census Gladys:
1940 census:
Henry Pratley Jr.
1953, Henry Pratley Jr
Photos of Bruce and Brent from 1952 - 1953 Hoover High School, Scroll yearbook:
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| Boys Hall of Champions, record holders in southern California |
1935 – 2017
Dr. Brent McGee Pratley, 82, died on November 10, 2017 at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, Utah. Brent and his twin, Bruce, were born on September 29, 1935 in Bakersfield, California to Henry Hart and Gladys Cooper Pratley.
Following the deaths of their parents, the twins and their two older brothers, Hart and Fred, were raised by their maternal grandparents, Walter and Selma Cooper. Brent graduated from Herbert Hoover High School (Glendale, CA) in 1953 and from Brigham Young University in 1962 with a B.S. in geology and four seasons on the BYU baseball team. He served an LDS mission in West Germany from 1957-60. After receiving his MD in 1966 from the California College of Medicine (now UC Irvine), Brent interned at LDS Hospital. While working at the BYU Health Center in 1968, he met Sue Fraughton, a secretary to the president of the Language Training Mission (now MTC). They were married for 28 years and had seven children.
Brent’s professional achievements included service as a Navy physician on Midway Island from 1969-70, a second residency in orthopedic surgery in Los Angeles from 1974-78 and several years of assistance to BYU athletic teams. For the last 30 years, he has worked weekdays at medical clinics in Southern California and spent weekends in Orem near his family and BYU home football games. He also enjoyed traveling to away games, including recent trips to Pasadena, Phoenix and San Diego.
Brent was a fan not only of travel and sports, but of classical music, opera, high-end cars, suspense novels, photography and any entree from Market Street Grill. He sharpened his fine motor skills by building model ships. Whether playing the piano by ear or diagramming a complex surgery on (usually someone else’s) restaurant napkin, Brent was eager to share his talents and interests. He was an original, and will be missed.
Brent is survived by seven children, sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank members of the Sunset Heights 2nd Ward and the hospital staff for their kind service. Special appreciation goes to Jennifer Wright, whose devotion and commitment to Brent’s rehabilitation allowed him to persevere in his determination to work as a physician as long as possible.
A public open house is planned for Thursday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Both events will take place at the LDS chapel on 1260 South 400 West in Orem. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cougar Club’s General Scholarship fund. Condolences may be offered to the family online at WalkerSanderson.com.