John Gordon Pritchard

John Gordon Pritchard, (Big John), age 86, of Fort Mill, SC died peacefully on April 24, 2013 at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. John was born October 11, 1926 in Charlotte, NC, the son of the late Thomas W. Pritchard and Hazel H. Pritchard. He attended Central High School in Charlotte, NC, Darlington Academy in Rome, GA, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he became an avid Tarheel fan. After leaving college, John went on to serve in the US Navy. In the late 1940s, John returned to Charlotte to join the family business, Pritchard Paint and Glass Company. Given John's vibrant personality, he quickly worked his way up through the company, to become President & CEO before retiring after 50 years. When not in the office, you could find John on the golf course or sport fishing on his boat. Publicly, John served many leadership roles, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Charlotte Rotary, and Junior Achievement. Notably, John and his first wife, Jimmie, started Montibello Day School in 1969, which lead to the founding of Carmel Academy, and ultimately, what is today known as Charlotte Country Day School in 1979. Those left to cherish John's memory include his wife of 30 years, Sally Scott Pritchard of Fort Mill, SC; daughters Crista Gardner and husband Mark of Raleigh, NC; Dell Laney and husband Jim of Huntersville, NC; Meg Kress Bell and husband Walt of Monroe, NC; son John Pritchard, Jr. and Robin of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Jake, Coleman, and Daniel Kress; along with beloved nieces and nephews, cherished friends, and caregivers. Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by his first wife Jimmie Pritchard; brother Bill Pritchard; sisters Sara Herndon, and Celeste Pritchard; and, granddaughter Dana M. Kress. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Palmetto Funeral Home. The family will honor John's memory with a private service and reception to be held at a later date. You may share your memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.caringbridge.org. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House (P.O. Box 993 Rock Hill, SC 29731), Animal Adoption League (P.O. Box 2453 Rock Hill, SC 29732), or the Humane Society of York County (8177 Regent Parkway, Fort Mill, SC 29715).

To plant a tree in memory of John Gordon Pritchard, visit the Tribute Store .