Choyce Aulton Prewitt Jr, the oldest and best looking of the Prewitt boys, passed away peacefully at home in Port Hueneme on January 4th, 2018. He was born a good ‘ol boy in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1938 to parents Choyce Sr. and Mary Prewitt. Choyce joined the Navy in 1955 and served as an Air Traffic Controller. Over his 31-year Naval career he served worldwide including Vietnam, two tours in Sigonella, Sicily, eight years in the Antarctic, aka “Operation Deep Freeze” and finally at Point Mugu. Highlighting Choyce’s friendly and fun-loving nature, he coordinated and oversaw, in his capacity as Aid to the Commanding Officer at the NATO installation Sigonella, the activities for foreign dignitaries, including leisure trips to favorite Italian sights like the Vatican, Rome, Florence and Venice. He also had the honor of being responsible for landing President Reagan’s Air Force One as Division Officer at Point Mugu whenever the President visited his Santa Ynez Ranch. In 2009, the New Zealand Government awarded him, at a ceremony in Washington D.C., the New Zealand Special Service Medal for his outstanding contribution to “Operation Overdue”, the search and recovery efforts that followed the crash of Air New Zealand flight 901 in 1979. Choyce retired from the Navy as a CW04 ATC Facility Officer in 1986. After completing his Naval career, Choyce acquired a Masters of Public Administration from Cal State Northridge while working as a Warfare Weapons Logistics Specialist for the Department of Defense. In 2000, after retiring from the DOD, Choyce and his wife hit the road on a six year adventure, which included traveling the world abroad and driving a 40-foot RV (sometime not very well) through the US and Canada hitting all but one state (Tennessee, “cause [he had] already been there”). At the request of a long-time friend, Choyce went back into the workforce in 2006 as a Senior Security Specialist for LJT and Associates supporting the Department of Homeland Security. Choyce enjoyed this position because it enabled him to talk with young people all over the globe and share his wisdom and expertise with a new generation of service men and women.
Choyce was fascinated with politics and an avid football fan, who would watch any two teams on any field, any day of the week. He LOVED a good joke and his boisterous laugh was legendary. Choyce’s heart and generosity matched his larger than life personality. His willingness to help others and share his experience, strength and hope made him loved and admired to all those who were fortunate enough to know him. He was very active in providing support, comfort and leadership anonymously for more than 36 years in the communities where he worked and lived.
Choyce is survived by his loving wife Maureen Prewitt of Port Hueneme, children Amy Prewitt of Ventura, Michelle Rohrick of Eden Prairie, MN and David Greene of Cave Creek, AZ, sister Celeste Elmore of Jemison, AL, brother Walter Ray Prewitt and wife Marlene of Shreveport, LA, 9 grandchildren (the “Heathens”) and numerous brothers and sisters in laws, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his sons Christopher Alan Prewitt and Richard “Ricky” Edward Prewitt.
Memorial service will be held at Oxnard Performing Arts Center in the Oxnard Room on January 20, 2018. Celebration of his life from 2:00-3:30, with reception immediately following till 5:00pm.
Roger that. Over…
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.