John Henry Pritchard

John Henry Pritchard BIRTH 15 Mar 1922 DEATH 20 Mar 2008 (aged 86) BURIAL Fairfield Cemetery Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas, USA MEMORIAL ID 25678570 · View Source

MEMORIAL PHOTOS 2 FLOWERS 1 JOHN PRITCHARD

John Henry Prichard, 86, of Fairfield, Texas, was called to Heaven on March 20, 2008. He was born on March 15, 1922, in Wingate, Texas, to Burton H. and Bertha Burkett Pritchard. He was a graduate of Texas A&M University in 1943 and attended Officer Candidate Training at Notre Dame before entering the war. He spent three years in the United States Navy during World War II, serving as gunnery officer on the USS L.S.T. 597 and later as Executive Officer on the same ship throughout the Pacific Campaign. He was discharged in 1946 as a Lieutenant (Jg).

His career as County Agriculture Agent began in 1946 as an assistant agent in Cameron County. The Pritchards moved to Freestone County on December 14, 1947. Mr. Pritchard led the transition from row-crop farming to a livestock dominated economy. Along with the changes came the use of fertilizer, hay production, and other improvements. John brought the first Coastal Bermuda grass to the county in 1949.

The county became a top cow-calf county in the state under his direction. Several thousand boys and girls came through the 4-H programs in the county during Pritchard's tenure. Mr. John spent nearly thirty-two years as County Agent of Freestone County. He retired on August 31, 1979. Pritchard also helped with the formation of the County Farm Bureau, served on the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, President of the Fairfield Rotary Club, and as Master of the Fairfield Masonic Lodge. He headed the Freestone County Fair for 32 years. Mr. John always strived to serve with honesty and integrity. He made many lasting association and friendships in the Fairfield/Freestone area as well as the state.

Mr. John loved the Lord and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church. He always kept up on current events by reading multiple newspapers daily. Family and friends alike enjoyed his quick wit and sense of humor. He won the respect of his family and numerous friends.

His wife of 41 years, Mary, passed away on August 26, 1985. He married Bobbie Hill on August 31, 1987. Bobbie passed away on August 23, 2006.

He is survived by his sons John Randall Pritchard and wife Nancie of Tyler, Wayne Henry Pritchard and wife Annette of Scurry, Jimmy Dale Pritchard and wife Jeannette of Forney and Danny Ray Pritchard and wife Brenda of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His stepchildren include Joan Hill and John Suel Hill of Palestine and Don Hill and wife Nellie of Mission, Texas. "Pepa's" grandchildren include Holly Pritchard of Dallas, Traci Wallace and husband Chad of Denton, Lynsey Adame and husband Mark of Corpus Christi, Brad Pritchard and wife Kathleen of Keller, James Pritchard and wife Kim of Cache, Oklahoma, John Pritchard of Dallas, Chase Pritchard of Arlington, Julie Pritchard of College Station, and Tyler Pritchard of Flower Mound. Mr. John's step grandchildren include Trevor Carr of Tulsa, Jonathan Hill of Tyler, Jennifer Willard and husband Shane of Palestine and Kenner Hill of Mission. His great grandchildren include Bailey Wallace, Kaylen and Joshua Pritchard and Madyson and Chloe Adame; step great grandchildren include Jackson Hill and Konnor Willard. He is also survived by his sisters Daphna Ritchey of Arlington, Elizabeth Atchley of Friendswood and his brother Bruce Pritchard of Waco.

A funeral service celebrating Mr. Pritchard's life was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at First Baptist Church. Dr. Jimmy Dale Pritchard, Rev. James Pritchard and Rev. Benny Mize officiated. Interment followed the services at Fairfield Cemetery.

If desired, memorials can be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, 303 S. Mount Street, Fairfield, TX 75840.

Capp's Memorial Chapel of Fairfield was in charge of the arrangements.

Family Members Parents Photo Burton Hubert Pritchard 1888–1959

Photo Bertha Priscilla Burkett Pritchard 1889–1978

Siblings Photo Infant Son Pritchard 1911–1911

Photo Bruce Pritchard 1928–2013

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25678570/john-henry-pritchard