La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Matthew Lawrence (Matt) Pratt was taken from a wonderful life much too early on Monday, October 2, 2023, at his home in La Conner, Washington. He suffered a heart attack while going out to feed his faithful dog companion, Danny.

Matt was born on Nov..16, 1954, in Kennewick, Washington to Joseph C. (Jim) and Judythe S. Pratt. From the beginning he was an active and inquisitive boy which both aggravated and charmed his parents and older brother, Steve. He never tried to hide the outrageous stunts he would pull. He was honest and genuine from the start.

At age 6 the family moved to Clarkston, Washington where he quickly began to develop his lifelong love of animals and the outdoors. He hung out at the public swimming pool and harassed a certain lifeguard who became his sister-in-law when she married Steve. There was always a loving bond between them.

The family moved to Bellevue, Washington when Matt was 11. At the age of 13 he made a lifelong friend in Ted Sanford and joined his second family. Matt and Ted attended Redmond High School where they lettered in football and graduated in 1973. He was a good student, but that didn't hold him back from bird hunting in Eastern Washington with his dad and older brother, skiing, and golfing – passions that would remain with him his entire life. At an early age he had figured out how to have fun in life.

Upon graduating high school, he went on to the University of Washington, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the Delta Chi Fraternity and made many lifelong friends. He had the distinction of being Hell Week Chairman, and as such instilled some discipline and values with many young pledges. While at the UW, Husky football became an enduring part of his life, always wearing shorts to Husky home games regardless of the weather and handing out his highly sought after duck sausage made from the bounty gained from his hunting exploits.

After graduating UW, he completed his MBA at Columbia University in New York and pursued a financial management career that eventually brought him back to the Seattle area as an executive in the telecommunications business. Matt was the rare business mentor who helped build both career skills and life skills. He took pride in helping others.

It was around this time that he met a young woman by the name of Sally Roe that his family and friends immediately fell in love with. She was perfect for Matt, and he for her. They enjoyed 25 years of a wonderful, rich, loving, marriage. They gave each other the freedom to pursue what they loved doing while at the same time supporting each other one hundred percent and being best friends. Their lives were blessed with 2 great cats and a couple of legendary dogs, Samantha and Danny.

Matt's mother died in 2010, and Ted's father had passed away in 2004. Matt's dad Jim and Ted's mother Virginia began communicating and eventually a courtship started that led to marriage. Matt's best friend Ted became his stepbrother. Matt and Ted attended their 50th High School reunion, connecting with many old friends, the week before Matt passed. Ted and his wife Karen have been wonderful friends to Matt and Sally, sharing many adventures together.

Matt was everything a man should be, and he enjoyed a life well lived. He is survived by his loving wife Sally, his sweet yellow lab Danny, mother-in-law Patty Roe, sister-in-law Leslie Roe , brothers-in-law Michael and Kyle Roe, nephew Christopher Fredlund (McKenna), stepmother Virginia Sanford Pratt, stepbrother Ted Sanford (Karen), step sister Jane Faeth Brown (Don), brother Steve (Lynn), nieces Amy (Greg) Alexander and Angie (Ryan) Cunningham, great nephews Aidan, Logan, and Quinn Alexander and Cade Cunningham, and great nieces Avery and Paige Cunningham. Uncle Matt always took a genuine interest in his younger relatives and was good counsel for them. He leaves a hole that will be hard to fill.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Matt's favorite causes, an organization formed to encourage youth engagement in outdoor recreation. https://reelrecreation.com/donate. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.