Norris Jay Pritchard Sr. was the only child of Darst Earl and Mary Elsie Crooks Pritchard. He was born in Noblesville, Indiana. The Pritchard family moved to Texas. Jay Sr. attended Bryan Public School System thru senior high school, graduating in 1956. While attending Lon Morris Jr. College, located in Jacksonville, Texas, he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Religious Studies. He continued his journey by attending Texas Wesleyan College located in Ft. Worth, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religion and Psychology.
While at Lon Morris Jr. College, he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Lee Jones. They married on July 17, 1959. They married in Jacksonville. Jay Sr. left his forever love, just shy of 55 years of marriage.
Jay Sr. worked a variety of jobs. He started out as a young minister in the Methodist Church and worked at the shoe factory located in Bryan. Following that, he joined the academic setting of Texas A&M University to do research on cotton. After 10 years, he decided to make a change and became a convenience store manager. He managed this store for about 5 years. His final and longest employment adventure was with General Telephone, which is now Verizon. He was employed with Verizon for about 30 years. He retired at age 64, when his health prevented him from performing the heavy work his job required.
Despite his physical limitations, he enjoyed volunteering in many organizations including, Texas Master Gardeners, Texas Master Junior Gardeners, Texas Master Naturalist and Bryan Citizens Police Academy Association. Most recently he had been devoting many hours to sharing his knowledge with children at the Brazos Valley Natural History Museum.
Preceding him in death, are his parents Darst Earl and Mary Elsie Pritchard.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Lee Jones-Pritchard; his 3 children and their families: daughter, Susan L. Pritchard-McCoy; daughter, Kathryn J. Pritchard-Foy, married to Jack E. Foy; grandson, Jonathan Scott Foy and son, Norris Jay Pritchard Jr., married to Jennifer R. Jennings-Pritchard.
Memorial donations may be sent to: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Building Committee, 1007 Krenek Tap Road, College Station, TX 77802, or to, Museum of Natural History Children’s Programs, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, TX 77802
Expressions of condolences can be made at Callawayjones.com
Barbara I’m sorry for your lost. You and your family are in my prayers. Jay will be greatly missed.
Barbara, May you feel an embrace of healing prayers wrap you and your family at this time of Jay’s loss. I will miss his upbeat attitude and his volunteering with the Master Naturalists. Love, Sue
I am very sorry for your loss,Randy and I both send our sympathies to you and your family. May the Lord give you comfort and strength.
Barbara –
So sorry for your loss. Will always treasure my time with Jay in TMN. What a character! Such great memories!
Mrs. Barb my prayers are with you and your family.
Barbara,
Our Thoughts & Prayers are with You & Your Family. Jay was a Good Man & Loved his Community of Bryan.
Barbara,
John’s and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jay lived a wonderful life and we feel so privileged to have shared a small part in it. Katharine
As a young girl I will never forget all the times spent at your home and the the laughs we had.
My thoughts and prayers!
Olivia
Jay, I’m so sorry for your loss. I pray that God will give you peace in this time of grief. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Barbara…I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.