From Navy decks to UCPS classrooms: Honoring a life of service

On Veterans Day, Union County Public Schools (UCPS) honors those who have served our country, including the employees who continue to serve students every day.

For UCPS carpenter Troy Pruitt, service has always been a way of life, whether maintaining aircraft carrier elevators in the U.S. Navy, building homes for families in need, or repairing classrooms so students can learn in safe, welcoming spaces.

“I’ve always liked working with my hands,” Pruitt said. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in fixing something and knowing it’s helping someone else.”

Pruitt has worked in the UCPS Facilities Department for three years, performing tasks such as roof inspections, door repairs and mobile classroom maintenance. His work takes him across the Porter Ridge cluster, where he is known for his kindness, reliability and easygoing spirit.

“No two days are the same,” he said. “One day I might be fixing floors or installing shelves, the next I’m inspecting a playground or replacing a window. Even small tasks, like adding shelves to a classroom cabinet, make a significant difference for teachers and students.”

Before joining UCPS, Pruitt spent more than 20 years with Habitat for Humanity, serving as operations and construction manager for affiliates in South Carolina and Union County. Building homes for others was more than a job; it was a ministry.

“I’ve always had a heart for hands-on service,” he said. “Habitat was a way to use my skills to bless others.”

Pruitt’s story of service started long before that.

In 1981, he joined the U.S. Navy and served four years aboard the USS Saratoga as an aviation ordnanceman. His job involved maintaining the ship’s complex weapons elevators, which lifted arms from deep below deck to the aircraft above.

“I wanted to see the world,” he said. “I grew up in a small farming community, and I was ready for adventure.”

During a six-month deployment, the Saratoga stopped in Benidorm, Spain. A young boy approached Pruitt and asked if he could give a tour of the ship, saying the young lady with him was his sister. Pruitt agreed, only to later learn she was not. That young woman, Desiree, would eventually become his wife.

They spent the afternoon walking the ship, talking and laughing. Later, Pruitt asked Desiree’s parents for permission to take her to a dinner show, and they gave a surprising yes, given how strict they were. Their connection continued through letters after his ship sailed and Desiree returned home. A few months later, he asked her to marry him. She said yes.

The couple married in Missouri after Pruitt’s service ended and eventually moved to the Netherlands, where they lived for nine years. Pruitt worked for a marine navigation company.

“That time in the Netherlands really shaped me,” he said. “I learned my wife’s culture and language, and we built a strong foundation for our marriage.”

In 1998, the family moved back to the U.S. Pruitt attended Bible college in Charlotte and earned an associate degree in pastoral ministry before joining Habitat for Humanity, merging his passion for craftsmanship with his heart for service.

Today, that same heart carries into his work at UCPS. Whether hanging flag holders or troubleshooting a leak with HVAC staff, Pruitt takes pride in helping teachers and students every day.

“I love that what we do helps teachers and students,” he said. “It’s not just fixing things. It’s making their lives easier and the schools run better.”

Last year, Pruitt underwent open-heart surgery, a moment that deepened his gratitude for his health and the UCPS family that supported him.

“I actually blacked out while working at Porter Ridge Elementary,” he said. “I’m thankful for the care I received and for the state health plan, which is a benefit of working at UCPS. I thank the Lord every day for guiding me through that.”

Now 62, Pruitt is grateful for a role that lets him use his skills without the stress of managing crews or large projects. He enjoys the camaraderie among his team and often spends time with coworkers outside of work.

“My supervisors are great. They have made this such a positive place to be,” he said. “It’s really like a family.”

When he is not on the job, Pruitt can be found in his home woodshop, building furniture or working on small projects. He and Desiree have been married for 40 years, have one daughter and three grandchildren who bring them endless joy.

Through decades of service in the Navy, in his community, and now at UCPS, Pruitt demonstrates how commitment, hard work and personal values can come together to create a lasting difference in the lives of teachers and students.