Clark Poston Pritchett Jr.

PRITCHETT Clark Poston Pritchett Jr., age 68, died September 24. He is survived by Marilyn, wife of 42 years; children, Lauren Seckel (Kevin) and Jeffrey Clark Pritchett; brother, Edward L.C. Pritchett MD (Caroline) of Durham, NC; cousin, Richard O. Hammond (Kathy); and brothers-in-law, Geoffrey White MD (Elizabeth, PhD) of Pasadena, CA and Howard White (Jane). Nieces and nephews include Hartwell, Leslie, Poston and Elizabeth Pritchett and Eric, Douglas and Allison (Andrew Merryman) White. Clark is the son of Clark P. Pritchett MD and Mary Kaufman Pritchett. He and Marilyn have been uniquely blessed to have wise and wonderful friends who have expanded their world and been advocates and supporters always. Born in San Antonio, Texas, while his father served as a physician during World War II, Clark was nicknamed "Tex." He served as president of his Bexley senior class-and most recently helped plan that group's 50th reunion. Clark earned a BA in Economics and later a JD at The Ohio State University and was active in numerous organizations including Ohio Staters and Student Senate. He was elected to Sphinx, senior men's honorary. He met Marilyn when both served as Orientation Leaders helping transition thousands of incoming freshmen to college life. Directly from law school, Clark joined the law firm of Boehm, Rance and Biswas and continued with the firm throughout his career as it evolved to become Rance, Pritchett, Brantner, Keller & Ely Co., LPA. Focused on estate planning, probate and trust, taxation, small business and real estate, he "felt privileged," as he often said, to serve "many wonderful clients," often extending to multiple generations of the same family. They respected his knowledge, remarkable insight and commitment to creating the best possible futures for all their endeavors. Having grown up in Bexley, a move to Upper Arlington to be closer to his office stimulated his involvement in UA organizations. His initial reluctance to join UA City Council was overcome by the encouragement of other community leaders, and he led the field in a successful run in 1998 and was again elected in 2002. From 2003-2006, he served as Mayor, fostering a collaborative Council intent on expanding the business base that led to the Shops at Lane Avenue, new physician offices and expanded parks. Other UA involvements included the Community Improvement Corporation, Historical Society, Trinity Methodist Church (Administrative Council and Foundation) and UA Community Foundation (including the Mirolo Barn). In addition, he served on the Ohio Historical Society's Development Board, the Columbus Foundation's Professional Council and the Franklin County Convention Authority Board. His professional involvements included membership in the American, Ohio and Columbus Bar Associations, the latter of which he previously served as chair of the Real Property Law Committee. His interests were far-ranging and he read widely in history (especially World War II), archeology and anthropology, the life of cities, space exploration, the natural world and more. Other than family and friends, his abiding love was for the Pritchett Family's country house, Jacob's Ladder Lodge, that looks out to the hills of southern Ohio. As he said, this place "restores my soul." Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 6 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road, 43221. A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Boulevard, 43212, Friday, October 7 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Clark's name to the Upper Arlington Community Foundation, the Bexley Education Foundation or The James Cancer Hospital. Please visit www.Schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Clark.