Raymond Everett Pritchett

Raymond Everett Pritchett, 78, of McIntosh, New Mexico peacefully passed away on Monday, December 8, 2014. Raymond was born on July 16, 1936 in La Union, New Mexico to George Henry "Pop" and Alta Mae "Mom" Young Pritchett. He married Mildred Ardella Holtan on November 24, 1961 at the First Baptist Church of Anthony, New Mexico and they were blessed with two children. Raymond is proceeded in death by his parents, Brothers Arthur and Willeta Locke Pritchett; George Henry, Jr and Catherine Lipps Pritchett; Ralph Pritchett and Sisters Nora Aline Pritchett; Ollie Pritchett and Troy Webb; Glenda Mae Pritchett Brandstrom; Sister in law Lucille Corn Pritchett; and Brother in law Glen Johnson. He is survived by his wife Mildred; Son George Henry and wife Sharon Norsworthy Pritchett of Round Rock, Texas; Daughter Ruth Ann Pritchett and husband Darrel Lynn Cooper of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Brothers Bill Pritchett of Anchorage, Alaska; James and Stella Bullard Pritchett of Hitchcock, Texas; Sister Mildred Pritchett Johnson of Paulup, Washington and Brother in law Raymond Brandstrom of El Paso, Texas. Raymond Pritchett served in the United States Army during the Cold War. He was often tapped to drive the gas truck because his officers knew he would not be drinking and driving. He was a mechanic in the army and often said that he got to ride where he was going because his tool box was too heavy to carry. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a BS in Agricultural Economics in 1967. In 1994 Raymond retired from Farmers’ Home Administration, USDA. He was stationed in many counties in New Mexico. While living in Los Lunas Raymond served as a Little League Coach taking the underdog Cubs team to the division championship. At the same time many of the same boys were in his Weblo Cub Scout den. They formed a new Boy Scout troop under the sponsorship of the First Baptist Church of Los Lunas. Raymond and Mildred moved to Clovis where son George and Raymond joined a new Boy Scout troop and George continued earning badges toward his Eagle Scout Rank. While in Clovis Raymond and George attended the 1977 National Boy Scout Jamboree in Moraine State Park, Pennsylvania. The leaders and the scouts called it More Rain, Pennsylvania. Raymond and George went on a 50 mile hike across the Philmont Scout Ranch. The next trip had already been planned when Raymond was sent to Deming for a very short time. When the Clovis troop leaders decided to take a 50 mile canoe trip they chose the beautiful Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. Raymond and George were joined by nephew Kevin Johnson, Ruth Ann and Mildred and the other scouts and leader went in two campers. The two wives and daughters were left at grandparents homes in the Minnesota area while the scouts carried their canoes across dry land or paddled on the beautiful water. Raymond was being transferred again this time to Estancia but before the family left Deming, George earned his Eagle Badge with his service project at the First Baptist Church of Deming. In Estancia, Raymond was ordained as a Deacon in the First Baptist Church. Raymond was on the pulpit committee when Sam Duncan was called as the pastor. They became friends and they could be counted on to help anyone in need. Raymond had his tool box ready at a moments notice. Raymond and Mildred are Charter Members of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church. He helped build the first building. In 1994 Raymond, Mildred, Ruth Ann and Irvin Holtan went to Normandy, France to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day Parachute Jump with the 82nd Airborne. In September Raymond and George went back to France with Irvin and Lois Holtan for a second celebration with Irvin’s 507th unit. Raymond and Mildred traveled around the nation to take Irvin to army reunions. Not to leave Ruth Ann out of his life, Raymond took Ruth Ann to see penguins in various states. Always ready with his tool box he helped Ruth Ann set up her home when she transferred around the state. Raymond was a Fifty Year member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Estancia Chapter No. 23 Order of the Eastern Star where he served several times as Worthy Patron. A Memorial service will be held Friday December 12, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Immanuel Southern Baptist Church of Estancia with Reverend Sam Duncan officiating. Graveside services will be held on Saturday December 13, 2014 at the Anthony, New Mexico Cemetery at 1:00PM. Raymond was a loving husband and a good father and a gentle helpful man.