Mr. Thomas Paul Prichard was born on the 24th of May 1933 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Otha Robert Prichard and Ruth Irene Vornal of Lima, Ohio. At 17 years of age, Thomas joined the U. S. Army in order to fight in the Korean conflict. Later he met and married, for the first time, to an Army W. A. C., Marian Rose Davis of Baton Rouge, Louisiana in Chicago, Illinois. Together they produced three children. Debra Rose, the eldest; Melonie Rose, the middle and Thomas Paul Jr., the baby. After the European assignment in Italy, he and the family settled in Indianapolis, Indiana. Viet-Nam was the next duty assignment at Cam-Ram Bay. Directly after returning to the United States he did temporary duty with the F. B. I. as an Advanced Team Member for the National Democratic Prsidential Convention E. O. D. squad, several stateside assignments followed with duty in Indiana, Alabama, Kansas, Alaska, New Mexico, Maryland and finally concluding his duty assignments after twenty plus years of dedicated service at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
Taking his organizational skills he developed with the military, he owned and operated several local businesses. Starting with the Texaco Full Service Station on Pulaski Pike, and an
Alterations Shop on Mastin Lake, a contractor with Joe Davis Stadium System, an Apartment Management Service and also a Bartending and Catering Service.
In his leisure time "SARGE" enjoyed sports, traveling, night-life and the blues. He also found time to contribute to the community by forming and president over the Association of Retired Regulars. His leadership in conjunction with all the original members created scholarships for students at Alabama A & M University, Oakwood College and several local High Schools. Through raffles, he lead the organization to its prominence in the black community of Huntsville. He often stated that he held a great respect for all the members and family that make such an organization possible.
Thomas is survived by his brother, Robert Earl Prichard and family of Ohio; eldest daughter, Debra Rose Prichard of Indiana; only son, Thomas Paul, Jr. of Alabama, first granddaughter Payton Olivia Prichard of Indiana and several loved family members in Georgia, Ohio, Indiana and Alabama.
The Prichard family would like to acknowledge and thank the professional and caring staff of the Tut-Fann Veteran's Home in Huntsville for their positive attitudes and comfortable accommodations over the last three years. The nursing staff at Huntsville Hospital for their diligence and warmth at the end of his life. The Military Color-Guard for their appreciation and presence. The Beckles family for their life-long friendship, support and love. The Ray family for its professionalism, kindness, friendship and love over the past thirty-plus years.
Memorial services for Mr. Thomas Paul "Sarge" Prichard will be held Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. from the Nelms Memorial Funeral Home Chapel.