Edward Brown "Ed" Praytor

Marshall, NC & Marietta, GA - Edward Brown Praytor, 67, passed away at his home in Marshall on July 7, 2015. He was a brilliant man who became an aerospace engineer, a well-known forensic computer consultant and an all-around good friend who was taken from us much too soon. Ed was the only Information Technology (IT) expert in the United States that is a nationally published author, an experienced software engineer and project turnaround consultant, a seasoned expert witness and trial consultant, and an arbitrator specializing in large and complex IT cases. In 1985, Ed founded his own company, Systems Management Resources, Inc., where he worked as the Principal Consultant for 30 years. In 2007 he founded Litigation Consultants, LLC, serving as Principal Consultant providing expert witness and trial consulting services. He was a designated arbitrator with the Arbitration Association from 2000, and served as an arbitrator for 15 years specializing in software quality and consultant errors and omissions cases. Ed was born in Buncombe County and graduated from Lee Edwards High School. He completed his Bachelor of Science cum laude in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at NC State University. He pursued graduate training in Business Administration at Georgia State University. His professional certifications included: Certified Computing Professional (CCP) and Certificate in Data Processing (CDP). He was semi-retired and was dividing his time between his home in Marietta, GA and his home in Marshall, NC. Ed was predeceased in death by his father, Nixon Rowe Praytor, his mother, Ruth Edwards Praytor, and his wife, Diana Praytor. He is survived by several cousins and many friends who will miss him. Ed was a member of the Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, GA. Memorials may be made to Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068. Please designate for MUST ministries. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.