Ray ‘Zuke’ Pratt, one of Charles City’s greatest athletes, dies at 87
Charles City 1957 graduate Ray Pratt, far right, remained active long after his heyday as an outstanding multisport athlete for the Comets. Pratt, who died on April 13, is pictured with, from left, David Ripley, Mike Jermier, Ron Isaacson and Gordon Peterson.
To The Press
Ray “Zuke” Pratt, a Charles City High School 1957 graduate and a member of the 1956 Comets’ boys basketball team that remains the last CC boys team to reach the state tournament, passed away on April 13, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He was 87 years old.
A fall caused an injury that resulted in his death. Ray’s wife Susan (Speaker), also a CCHS graduate, passed away in June 2023.
Ray and Sue are parents to Minnesota Senator Eric Pratt.
Ray, to those who were one of Ray’s CCHS 1957 classmates, is known as a consummate athlete in high school. He earned four school track records in pole vault, high jump, high hurdles, and as a hurdle relay member.
Ray was voted High School Second Team All-State in football. At the time Charles City High School competed in Division 1, and was voted the 13th best team in Iowa.
Ray significantly contributed to the success, including scoring three touchdowns against New Hampton.
Ray was also a member of the 1955/56 CCHS basketball team that went to the state tournament championship in 1956.
Ray played football as a college freshman at the University of Iowa under Forest Evashevski and Jerry Burns. He was a very good gymnast who performed triple flips while diving from high boards of 10 to 30 feet, with his friend and fellow CCHS 1957 classmate Mike Jermier.
After all of those athletic accomplishments, he went on to win a number of golf tournaments in Minnesota in the MGA Senior Division.
“It seemed that Ray was proficient at anything athletic that he pursued,” said Gordon Peterson, one of Ray’s long-time friends. “I would go so far as to call Ray one of Charles City’s greatest athletes.
“Ray and I were good friends. We were golf partners in a league in New Prague, Minnesota for many years. Ray and Sue often hosted friends at their winter home in San Antonio, Texas. CCHS 1957 classmates Orville (CCHS football quarterback) and Elizabeth (Gunther) Sietsema, my wife Liana and I, and Ray and Sue, shared Friday evening dinner together for many years in the Twin Cities area.
“Our friendship was very special. Orville, Ray, and Sue have passed, yet the memories continue to linger in my heart.”
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