Jimmy Pritchard

Jim Pritchard, long-time Pottawatomie County resident and community leader, entered his heavenly home on Thanksgiving Day at the age of 85. Jim was born on July 29,1937, to V.J. and Ina (Kelin) Pritchard in Shawnee, OK. He graduated from Earlsboro High School in 1955 and married the love of his life, Wanda (Roady) Pritchard on July 29th of the same year.
Jim began his work career at Brown Furniture Company in Shawnee, before moving to J.C. Penny’s as a sales associate. His hard work and drive eventually led him to the world of finance and a position with Commercial Credit Corporation. This job saw the family move to Oklahoma City, Ada, and Kansas City, MO, in a span of a few years. Being away from Shawnee and his Church of Christ family, prompted him to return home and accept a position as Vice President of Cole Finance Company in 1963.
Once home, Jim quickly began advancing in the industry. He served as Vice President of First Federal Savings and Loan and President of Duncan Savings and Loan before moving to American National Bank in 1972. During his 19 years at the bank, he advanced from head of the mortgage loan department to Vice President, President, and eventually Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board and retired in 1991.
Jim saw it as his civic duty to help his community grow and prosper. To that end, he served as a member of the Tecumseh Board of Education for seven years, the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Gordon Cooper Career Tech steering committee and therefore, helped bring the school to Shawnee. He also served as President of the Shawnee Lions Club and Vice President of the Shawnee Jaycees.
Some of his biggest contributions came during his tenure as President of the Shawnee Industrial Development Foundation. The foundation, under his leadership, helped bring Walmart, Shawnee Mall, and the successful industrial development north of Shawnee to the area.
After retiring, Jim and Wanda devoted much of their time to the church. Jim preached throughout much of the country, holding the traditional one week “meetings”, officiating weddings, and conducting funeral services.
Jim was a devoted OSU Cowboys fan, spending most Saturdays in the fall watching his beloved Pokes. He was also passionate about attending his grandkids’ school activities. Some of his most precious memories centered around their successful endeavors.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, V.J. and Ina Pritchard; brothers, Jack and Johnny Pritchard and sister, Peggy Valenzuela.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda; sons, Mike and Greg Pritchard of the home; daughter, Sherri Lokey and husband, Randall, of Yukon, OK, and son, Jeff Pritchard and wife, Terri, of Jenks, OK. He is also survived by grandkids: Derek and Tara Lokey, Brooke and Scott Murphy, Leslie and David Daugherty, Laci and Kendall Horner, Amber and Jon Wood, Cody Pritchard, Mariah and Mike Whittet, and twelve great grandchildren.
Public visitation will be held 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2022 at AE Funeral Services 603 W. Independence St.; Shawnee, OK 74804. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2022 at AE Funeral Services Chapel.
As precaution the family would like make friends and guest aware that they have had multiple family members ill and all necessary steps will be taken to keep everyone healthy. Should guest choose to avoid any risk the family certainly respects those decisions.