Jerry Eugene Pritchard

Funeral services for Jerry “Bear” Pritchard will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Memorial Heights Baptist Church, with burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be immediately before starting at 10:00am

Jerry “Bear” Pritchard passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025, surrounded by family as he went to meet his Lord and Savior and be reunited with his wife Claudette. He was 88 years old. He was born on August 10, 1937, in Seminole, Oklahoma, to Virgil and Geraldine (Robinson) Pritchard. He grew up in Seminole and played on the 1953 State Championship football team and was later inducted into the Seminole Hall of Fame. After graduating in 1954, he continued his education at the University of Oklahoma on a football scholarship.

Jerry met Claudette when they were going through enrollment at OU. They married on August 25, 1957. The couple’s first child, Tanara, was born prematurely in June of 1958 and passed away five days later. Their second child, Bret, was born in June of 1959 and their third child, Kevin, was born in August of 1960. Their fourth child, Deidra, was born in May of 1969.

Jerry obtained a degree in Geology at OU and began work with the Corp of Engineers. The couple moved to Sapulpa during the building of Keystone Lake dam. During Jerry’s 31 years in the Construction Division at the Corp of Engineers, the job took the family to Powderly, TX, De Queen, AR, El Dorado, KS and eventually to Claremore, Ok in 1980 when he moved to the Tulsa District office. Jerry retired in August of 1992 at 55 years old. After retirement he worked at the RSU rec center for a period and at the Claremore Rec Center when it opened. Even though they were retired, you would find them arriving at the rec center early in the morning as soon as the doors were open.

When Jerry was not working, he enjoyed being outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He owned bird dogs, enjoyed spending time in his tree stand, and could often be found on his boat at the lake or fishing a pond. He also enjoyed playing slow pitch softball well into his 50’s. He also enjoyed supporting his kids in their activities. He was an active member of Memorial Heights Baptist Church, where he served in the youth group and was on the security team.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife Claudette, daughter Tanara Pritchard, his parents Virgil and Geraldine Pritchard, and sister Jo Anna Culver.

Survivors include his son, Bret Pritchard and wife Julie; his son, Kevin Pritchard and wife Lori; his daughter, Deidra Holderman and husband George. He is also survived by grandchildren Devin Pritchard and wife Traci; Haley Olson and husband Shane; Trent Pritchard and wife Rachelle; Gentry Nevatt and husband Gabe; Drake Holderman and wife Andrea; Chase Holderman and wife Abby; Addy Young and husband Abe; Jenna Holderman; 16 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Memorial Heights Baptist Church, Claremore, OK.