* Larry Pruitt; Retired Point Mugu Scientist

Larry Davidson Pruitt, retired computer scientist at the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 60.

Pruitt was born April 19, 1939, in Kansas City, Mo., and was adopted by the Rev. Robert and Margaret Pruitt.

His father, a chaplain in the military, was stationed at Point Mugu and moved his family to Ventura County in 1954.

Pruitt graduated from Santa Paula High School and Cal State Northridge.

While working at Sears Roebuck and Co. in Ventura, he met his future wife, Jeanne Banta, who was working in the optician’s office at the same store.

They were married in September, 1960, with his father performing the ceremony.

In 1969 he began a 30-year career as a computer scientist at the warfare center. He retired in January.

Jeanne Pruitt said her husband was a hard-working man and a loving husband and father.

In addition to his wife of 38 years, Pruitt is survived by a daughter, Stephanie of Ventura; mother, Margaret Allene Pruitt of Santa Paula, and a sister, Mary Jo Day of Las Vegas.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Santa Clara Valley Hospice in Santa Paula.

A private family burial service will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

A memorial service will be held at College United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Merle Lehman officiating. The Rev. Marty Olivas, a lifelong friend, will deliver the eulogy.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.