Alex Joseph Pratt

Born in Ryazan, Russia on September 15, 1996. Alex was adopted from the Ryazan Children’s Home on May 9th, 1997. He was 8 months old when his parents, Ray and Leslie, arrived in Russia to meet him and big sister, Gwen age 2.  During the 10-day waiting period, Alex caught the chicken pox and was sick on the day he could leave with his new parents. The fever and first tooth he was getting didn’t keep him from smiling. He knew something good had happened. After the flight home, Alex lived in Raleigh North Carolina until he was 3.

In 1999, he moved to the village of Zionsville. He attended Gingerbread preschool, took piano lessons, played with kids in the neighborhood and was eager to start school at Pleasant View elementary. In 3rd grade, his family moved to a farm with a big red barn and a riding lawn mower. Alex loved everything about the farm; the view from the barn roof, the smell of fresh mowed lawn, raising chickens, watching storms rolling in across the farm fields, the history of the 100-year-old house. The move allowed Alex to attend Union Elementary for one year where he met his best friend Nolan Smith.

Nolan became a regular visitor. He and Alex slept out under the stars on the trampoline, rode bikes over homemade ramps and swam in the pool in Lebanon. When they were old enough, they started Two Guys and a Mower and were serious about providing good lawn service to neighbors and family.

During his middle school, Alex became interested in World War II, weapons and the military. In the middle of 8th grade, he visited Missouri Military Academy (MMA) and wanted to join the corps of cadets.  After a few months of learning the basics of drilling, uniforms and polishing brass, Alex knew he had found a community of like-minded people. Once in high school, he could join The RailSplitters, a World War II re-enactment group. He spent many happy weekends playing the role of medic for his WWII squad.

Unfortunately, Alex’s high school years were interrupted by a diagnosis of cancer, osteosarcoma. His sophomore year was spent in the care of Riley Hospital. He endured 30 weeks of chemotherapy and a major surgery to replace his right knee, all with the help of a fantastic group of dedicated doctors and nurses. He kept them challenged and amused with his moods and quirky sense of humor. He was thin, weak and well-loved by the time he left Riley. He attended MMA summer school to get back on track academically and received physical therapy from BodyOne in Zionsville and Sport and Spine in Mexico, MO. Alex rose through the ranks at MMA and was a First Lieutenant leading a squad of middle school cadets in his senior year. Alex’s strategy was to reward excellence from his young men with homemade brownies from his mother.

He developed an interest in computer technology as an IT intern at MMA. He decided to pursue that interest at Indiana State University. After his first year, Alex decided he was not “a college man”.  He worked at his interest in technology and video gaming by posting numerous video reviews and game play critiques on YouTube. He was active in the CS:Go Gaming community and Tech Leader on a couple of competitive teams. He managed more than one MineCraft server. Realizing a YouTube vlogger doesn’t make the kind of money he was looking for and wanting to be more physically active, he looked for work with an outdoor component.

His long-time friend, Nolan, helped him make a connection to R&G Construction. Alex joined the crew and really enjoyed learning about home remodeling and construction. Alex put his all into doing excellent work and learning about the business. With his first source of real income, Alex bought his own motorcycle, a Kawasaki Ninja 650. He loved the bike and called it “my baby”. Alex learned to service the bike and took excellent care of it. He also enjoyed dressing the part in full safety gear, helmet and heated gloves in the winter. He rode in snow and sunshine.

Through the years, Alex had maintained his interest in guns and weapons. He was proud of his ceremonial sword from MMA. He taught himself how to make knives. He crafted several out of railroad spikes and wood combining wood working with metal working. He also had a collection of guns. After a happy 4th of July, Alex had one last day of good work and camaraderie with fellow workers and friends. That night while handling one of his pistols, it discharged killing him.

All who knew him are invited to pay their respects on Friday July 13th at Flanner and Buchanan funeral home at 105 W Pine Street, Zionville Indiana 46077 317 873-3366. Visitation starts at 12 pm. There will be a service celebrating his life at 2 pm. Friend and family can gather at Alex’s home afterwards.

For those who want to, donations can be made in Alex’s name to Riley Hospital for Children.