Obituaries

Davis Ward Pritchett Jr.

Photo of Davis Ward Pritchett Jr.
A mountain of a man and a fighter until his last breath, Dr. Davis Pritchett Jr., of Greenwood, Ark., died at 11:55 a.m., April 18, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family whom he cherished and adored. Davis was born July 17, 1945 in Denison, Texas, to Ward and Doris Pritchett. He married his beautiful wife and mother of his children, Janet Pritchett, on July 15, 1967 and she survives. In 2017, they celebrated their 50th year of marital bliss. Also surviving is his son, LTC James D. Pritchett and his wife Neena of Monroe, La.; one sister Laura Pritchett and her spouse Paige, of Maumelle, Ark.; one brother Barney Pritchett and his spouse Rhonda, of Greenwood, Ark.; four grandchildren, Jana, Emily, Lauren, and Cooper; one great-grandchild, Ben; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Dave was preceded in death by his sister, Lisbeth, father, Ward, mother, Doris, daughter, Elaine, and granddaughter, Katy. Texan by the grace of God, his words, Dave was born a Texan and died a Texan. He lived in Texas from the time he was born until he and his parents relocated to northwest Arkansas, to a little town called Bloomer. Bloomer will play an interesting role in this story because it is where his love and future wife, Janet would meet and become friends, all while living less than 5 miles from one another. Dave graduated high school from Charleston High School in 1963 and upon graduation, entered the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant before his retirement in 1983. He spent 9 years on active duty and 11 years in the Air Force Reserves. During his time in the reserves, Dave received his bachelor's degree from Arkansas Tech University in 1974, followed by his Master's Degree and subsequent Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in 1981. Upon receiving his Ph.D. in Entomology, Dave began teaching at Northeast Louisiana University, where he would spend the next 28 years cultivating young minds to go on to become successful medical doctors, nurses, scientists, and much more. The visitation is from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston. The funeral service will follow the next day at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 23, 2018, also at the Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Lorne Scoggins officiating. The burial will be at 12 noon, with full military honors, at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Arkansas Paws in Prison @ adc arkansasgov/paws-in-prison. To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.

Published April 21, 2018

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