John Christopher Pracht, IV

John Christopher Pracht, IV passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026 in Camden, South Carolina.  Born on November 4, 1954, in Anderson South Carolina, he was the son of the late John Christopher Pracht, III, and Eunice Sullivan Pracht.  Chris was educated in Anderson public schools and graduated from Wofford College in 1975 with a BA in Government at the age of 20. 

Chris dedicated his life to helping others and serving the public. He first entered public service when he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1976 at the age of 21. At the time, he was the youngest member of the General Assembly ever elected. He served in the Legislature for 8 years. Chris was known for his exceptional constituent service and his fervent advocacy in the areas of education and public safety.

Chris’ lifelong profession and passion was that of auctioneer, graduating from the Missouri Auction School and later the Certified Auctioneers Institute at Indiana University (CAI) in 1992. He served as president of the South Carolina Auctioneers Association and was inducted into the SC Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 2007. He served as treasurer of the National Auctioneers Association and was the first chairman of the NAA Education Institute Trustees.  In 2014 he was named the South Carolina bid calling champion. Chris rose to the top of his profession in 2017 when he was inducted into the National Auctioneer’s Hall of Fame.

Chris’ auctioneering experiences were vast, but his greatest professional accomplishment would be the collaboration amongst close friends and colleagues in creating MarkNet Alliance. MarkNet is an international Auction Franchise, consisting of more than 50 members in over 30 states. The company has assisted thousands of clients through difficult transitions and challenges.

Philanthropy and charitable work defined Chris’ life. He gave his time and treasure to enumerable worthy causes. As an example, in 1989, Chris affiliated with the “Hole in the Wall Gang” Camp, founded in 1988 by the late actor, Paul Newman, in Ashford Connecticut, first as a volunteer, and later as the auctioneer for their fundraising.  The camp was a year-round camp for children suffering from blood disease and cancer. Through the years, as Chris was taking advantage of a second chance himself, he helped many of the surviving children continue their education through scholarships and fundraising. 

Chris was a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Anderson and a proud member of the Camden Rotary Club, where he enjoyed several years of perfect attendance, and was a Paul Harris fellow. He loved both his first home Anderson and his adopted second of Camden. Most of all Chris loved South Carolina its people.  

Left behind to cherish his memory are his son, John Christopher Pracht, V, Esquire, daughter in law Kristine Pracht, grandchildren John Christopher Pracht VI (“Jack”), Jennings Molony Pracht, and June Sullivan Pracht, all of Greenville; his extended family Jeanne and Tom Kepper, Stewart Kepper, William Kepper, Grace Kepper, Godson James Kepper, Anne Glenn, Eve Glenn and Mary Sullivan Walters; He was formerly married to the late Debbie Gail Dorn, daughter of the late US Congressman William Jennings Bryan Dorn and Millie Dorn of Greenwood, South Carolina.

Chris “never met a stranger.” He was known for his many acts of kindness and generosity to those he encountered on his life’s journey. His most signature gift was the beautiful roses he presented, sometimes on special occasions but more often for no reason at all.

Services will be held graveside at Old Silver Brook Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 3 PM.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Springdale Hall, 161 Knights Hill Road, Camden.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, 555 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven, Connecticut 06511.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Christopher Pracht, IV, please visit our floral store.