Taylor O'Brien Pratt was born on April 14^th, 1985 in Jacksonville, FL, to John and Jane Pratt. Taylor, the second of two children has an older sister named Jenni.
   He attended Marietta City Schools until his family moved to Paulding County a few years ago. He graduated from East Paulding High School in 2003. After getting accepted on his first try and not having to wait a year as most do, he enrolled at the Marine Mechanics Institute of Orlando, FL, where he did extremely well. He was to graduate in October of 2005.
   Taylor will always be remembered as the “Gentle Giant” given his exceedingly high stature (6feet, 7inches) and his warm open demeanor.
   Taylor’s Mom Jane will always remember his long talks on the phone while he was in Florida. His warm smile and greeting were extended to everyone who cam across his way. As Taylor moved away to Orlando, Mom was quite proud of his ability to survive on his own as he learned to be a single man without the help of Mom to cook, clean or do laundry. Taylor also loved to play with his nieces and nephews, and was in high demand when the kids cam over.
   Taylor’s Dad, John, will always remember him as a son who saw the good in people and a son who made him proud. He loved to hunt and fish, and was always interested in sports. His Dad is also amazed and grateful to see all the ways Taylor affected people in life as many have come forward during this time of grief for the family. He is touched by the way Taylor reached out to so many people in their new neighborhood and hoe everyone was drawn to Taylor.
   Taylor’s sister, Jenni, loved her brother like none other. She and Taylor felt it important to be a brother and sister who not only loved each other but cared about one another unconditionally. They promised each other that they would always be friends in life. Jenni will always remember Taylor’s incredible way to accept people as they are rather than judging them. Although it wasn’t enjoyable, she has fond memories of watching car shows with Taylor. Even now, she can picture the “Gentle Giant” sitting on the couch and watching another one of those car shows.
   Taylor is survived by his Mom and Dad John William Smoak Pratt Jr. and Jane Minshew Pratt, along with his sister, Jennifer Elizabeth Pratt. In addition he is preceded by his grandmother Kay O’Brien Pratt and survived by his grandparents John William Pratt Sr. and Harwell and Elizabeth Minshew. Close family includes Lorain and David Nelson, Tom and Christine Whitaker with son Tommy, Howard Pratt with children Anna, Claire and Adam. Judy Doss, Jamie and David McDonnell with children Chloe, Andrew and Brian. Andrew and Lyn Day with children Adam and Lee and Tripp and Nicole Long.
   Taylor O’Brien entered this world on April 14^th, 1985. He entered Gods eternal kingdom on December 31^st, 2004, at the age of nineteen.

Taylor O’Brien Pratt

Taylor was born on a Sunday afternoon, April 14, 1985, at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, and was baptized at Mandarin Presbyterian Church that same year. The family moved to Marietta in 1988, and Taylor attended Marietta City Schools and First Presbyterian Church where he was a member of the August 1993 confirmation class. 

Taylor had various jobs over the years…. including a photographer’s assistant, dishwasher at the Wednesday night suppers at First Pres, cashier at Eckerd’s and his favorite job of all…..a cart boy at Bentwater Golf Club. He graduated from East Paulding High School in May 2003. Taylor attended Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando and worked at Lowe’s Home Improvement store.  He was on target to graduate from MMI in November 2005, and his future plans were to return to north Georgia…to live and work at a marina on the lake.  He was home for Christmas break, scheduled to return to Orlando the next day at the time he passed away.

Taylor was 6’7”, and his nicknames were Biggin’, Big T, Tater, and Tay.  He is remembered by many as ‘The Gentle Giant’.  His hobbies were cars and anything outdoors including golf, fishing and hunting. Taylor loved everyone...especially children and the elderly.  And they loved him as he showed patience, kindness and compassion.  As Taylor was growing up, he spent a great deal of time in Cedartown with his grandparents.  Here he could spend his days hunting with Mr. Fendley, fishing with the Ingram’s and riding the country side with GiGi in the little red truck….always coming back home to his favorite….NaNa’s rice and gravy.

After the family moved to Bentwater in 2002, he quickly considered the residents in “the hood”….especially Todd, George, Chris and Don… as one big family, and would move from house to house visiting with the adults and playing with the children.     

Taylor left us on December 31, 2004 as the result of a single car accident. He was a very happy young man full of confidence and life.   We love him and miss him.  We are confident that he is safe now.

 This verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18… was found in Taylor’s wallet…

      Always be joyful and never stop praying.  Whatever happens keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ.  This is what God wants you to do.