James William Pritchard
1935 - 2015
James William Pritchard
1935 - 2015
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1935
DIED
2015
James Pritchard Obituary
James W. Pritchard, age 80, of Powell, passed away on Sunday, June 28th, 2015. James was a long-time music teacher and band director at Jellico and Rule High, and subsequently a guidance counselor at Northwest Middle School. He was a loving, caring, outgoing person and made many friends during and after his teaching career. He was preceded in death by his parents, James F. and Lucille W. Pritchard, and son, Jason Pritchard. He is survived by three sons, Ray (Jessica) Pritchard, David and James Pritchard, 5 grandchildren, brother Thomas (Brenda) Pritchard, and nephew Charles (Jody) Pritchard. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 3rd, 2015 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Berry Highland Memorial Funeral Home, with funeral service to follow at 2:30 PM. Graveside services will immediately follow at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: UT Medical Center, Heart Lung Vascular Institute, “In Memory of James Pritchard,” 1924 Alcoa Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920 or East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 15010, 2018 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37901-5010. Please sign Mr. Pritchard’s online register book at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com. Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. 865-588-0567
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Laura, Kelly and Billie Greene
July 6, 2015
So sad that the world has lost such a kind and caring soul. Mr. Pritchard's friendship meant the world to my Dad and I'm happy they are together now. Mr. Pritchard taught me to ski, was my guidance counselor, an encourager, and was a dear friend to our entire family. He put others at ease with his gentle presence and I'm sure he will be rewarded for a life well lived!
Jeana (Poynter) Capps
July 4, 2015
....another life touched and inspired by a great band director and an amazingly insightful and caring man! --
Charles Shelby
July 3, 2015
Mr. Pritchard will always be in my heart and memory. I was in Rule High Band his first year there and was lucky to have spent those years under his guidance, help and friendship. All the extra hours he spent with our group of rowdy band guys doing life, had a great impact on all of us. Boating, skiing at Norris Lake, bowling, Ice skating, and yes, Basketball at midnight lots of times. He was a gentle man showing and bunch of Rule High tough guys how to live a better life. Always there when you needed to talk out a problem. Jim Pritchard was always more than my teacher... he was a great example, he was a good counselor, and a true friend. His impact on my life and so many others, will continue for years to come.I'm now teaching things to my children and grandchildren that were shaped in my life, by Jim Pritchard. I was blessed to have known him. A gentle man in every respect, but, at the same time, this was a very strong man. He was a great man, and a great friend. To the Pritchard family, please know that I pray for God's peace and comfort for you in the coming days.
Deb Henry
July 3, 2015
I met Jim when I worked at Northwest Middle. He was a wonderful educator who truly cared for the students. Those who knew him were blessed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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Stephen Pierce
July 3, 2015
Jim Pritchard was my Band Director at Rule High School until I graduated in 1968. Under his leadership, the RHS Band earned several Number 1 ratings at area band competitions. He was a caring , passionate man who really made a difference in the lives of his students.
I am reminded of the time we were doing our half-time show at Powell High School when we finished our first song in a perfect company front on the eighteenth yard line (we were supposed to be on the twenty yard line). Mr. Pritchard came running onto the field waving his arms and said "Stop! Go back and start over." We were totally embarrassed, humiliated and even angry at the time, but we all trudged back to the starting goal line and started over. Guess what? We ended the first song the next time exactly on the twenty yard line. He expected us to each give our best and would accept nothing less.
Thank you Jim Pritchard for your friendship and your influence in my life, I will never forget.
Larry and Robbie Griffey
July 3, 2015
Jim was a person who made a difference in people's lives. He gave the greatest gift of all to many of us in the band at Rule he gave us something far more valuable than money his time, energy and guidance. We all lost a great friend. Rest in peace.
Judy Irwin Rechenbach
July 3, 2015
I worked with Jim at Northwest Middle School He was a wonderful caring person and the students were very fortunate to have him for guidance
Michael Lee
July 2, 2015
Mr. Pritchard was one of the great influences in my life. He was always more than my band director. My fellow band members at Rule formed a bond that has met the test of time....thanks to Mr. Pritchard. ..
Michael Paskel
July 2, 2015
The only thing that comes to mind is Mr.Holands Opus. I and Roger and Berlin and Phillip and Gary and Malcolm and Alan and Jean and hundreds of other kids were the notes and the rythms of Jim Pritchards greatest work. I loved him.
Edith Williams
July 2, 2015
I was so sorry to read of Jim's death. I remember him from when he sang Barbershop with my husband, Alex Williams. He brought his first adopted son to Luke and Vivian Henley's house to a picnic that the Barbershoppers were having. I'm so sorry I won't be at the funeral. I don't drive, and I don't have anyone who can bring me on Friday.
Allen Headrick
July 2, 2015
Jim was my band director from 4th grade through high school at Rule. He had a big influence on my life as he did so many others. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Pat, Kathy, Whitney, & Tyler Nicely
July 2, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mark Hickman
July 1, 2015
Jim was our guidance counselor at Northwest Jr. He took a few of us under his wing and introduced us to boating on Norris Lake. Years later I said he owed me a bundle for all of the money I've spent on boats. Totally his fault, and I couldn't be more grateful. A good man that did so much for me and lots of other kids. Rest in peace, my friend.
Roger Lunsford
July 1, 2015
Jim Pritchard was one of the biggest influences on my life from fourth grade to graduation from high school. Jim was a mentor, a teacher, a neighbor, and friend.Jim made the world a better place for thousands of young people.Rest in Peace.
Ron Taylor
July 1, 2015
I met Jim when he and his family moved to Oak Ridge. We were both in sixth grade. From that point on we were best friends thru high school. He had such a wonderful voice that carol and I ask him to sing at our wedding. The three of us used to waterski on Norris every Saturday. Later he would attend UT football games with us and join us for dinner at Littons after the game. We have lost a dear friend and will miss him dearly.
Gary Shelby
July 1, 2015
Mr. Pritchard was my band director at Rule from 1962-1967. One of the best school friends my brother and I and all the band members could have while there. Will surely be missed by many. Rest In Peace, James.
Berlain Hatfield
July 1, 2015
Mr Pritchard was the Rule High School Band Director when I attended Rule from 1968 to 1973. He was always a very supportive teacher and mentor to hs students. His influence on my life follows me evn today, some 40 years after graduating. My prayers for his family and friends. They don't make them like JP anymore. Berlain Hatfield
Charlotte Rountree Leasure
July 1, 2015
Mr. Pritchard was my band director at Rule HS from 1963-68. He was the best director any student could ask for & encouraged all of us to work hard & do our very best. The band members, parents & Mr. Pritchard were a family & we worked hard under Mr. Pritchard's leadership. God bless his family at this difficult time. Prayers will be lifted up for Mr. Pritchard & his family.
Edward Burke
July 1, 2015
Very sad to hear about Mr. Pritchard's death. I remembered him as
a counselor at Northwest Jr. High and I was in his office few times
during my stay @ Northwest . I had the chance to know him again years later . I know he is in a better place and he awaits his family one day . Edward Burke , Cosby, Tn
Shelby Kelley
July 1, 2015
Jim, we love you heart and soul! Rest in peace our friend. Rusty and Shelby Kelley
Ralph Parton
July 1, 2015
Can never be replaced.
Andrea and Craig Rozelle
June 30, 2015
Such a sweet soul! May you fly high and rest in peace!
Chris Hancock
June 30, 2015
Remember Jim Pritchard from my days at Northwest Middle School. I remember him being a very kind and fair man, always ready to listen. My step father also knew him from Rule High School. He mentored several generations of Knoxville area kids and we are all better for knowing him
Gary Tullock
June 30, 2015
Jim Pritchard was an amazingly gifted man who chose to live his life in a manner that shared those gifts with one and all. He took so many of us under his wing and counseled us wisely as we grew. His door was always open as was his heart. There was never a gentler, caring and thoughtful person. To the family, please accept my condolences and to his friends, let us all be thankful we were blessed to know Jim Pritchard. Rest in peace, Jim, you've earned it.
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5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
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