Kenneth Blaine Pritchett, 87, of Grayville died Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at his home. Ken had a very successful career in education. He held a Masters Degree in Education and coached 20 of the 37 years he was a teacher. He began his coaching career as a high school basketball coach in Lorraine, Kansas, where he finished 2nd in the state with a record of 87-36. Later he coached at Lawrenceville, Illinois, where he earned a record of 93-17 (87% which is the highest in Illinois). He started the basketball program at Parkland Junior College in Champaign, Illinois, where he earned a 60% win rate. He is in the Sports Hall of Fame in all three schools. Ken is also in the Grayville Sports Hall of Fame. Coaching track and teaching golf and fishing were also on Ken’s list of accomplishments.
He was a former Grayville City Councilman and member of the American Legion and Moose Club. He was a United States Navy veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Tammy Pritchett of Grayville; son Bret (Bari) Pritchett of Elgin, Illinois; daughters Martha “Marty” Payne and husband Dan of Naples, Florida and Karen Parker of League City, Texas; step daughters Christine Scott-Lopez of Katy, Texas and Stacee Cox of Grayville; brother Ray Pritchett of Grayville; Grandchildren Christoffer Shane Pritchett, Ryan Pritchett, Seth Pritchett, Jason Levitt, Shawn Levitt, Megan Levitt, Zachary Levitt, Travis Parker, Ginger Parker, Lauren Parker; step grandchildren James Dowlearn, Peter Dowlearn, Chelssie Lopez, Alexis Shaw, Dillon Cox; and numerous great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Kenneth B. Pritchett will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 19 at the Cook Chapel in Grayville with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery at Grayville.
Visitation is 6-8 pm, Monday, July 18, 2016, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville.