Cletus Ollie Pritchett

Cletus Ollie Pritchett of Prague, Oklahoma, passed away on September 1, 2020 at the age of 83. Cletus was born on October 27, 1936 in Sparks, Oklahoma. He was the son of Clarence Ollie and Thelma Mary (Gouker) Pritchett. Cletus was a 1955 graduate of Prague High School. Following high school. Cletus served his country by enlisting with the United States Army. Cletus received his top- secret clearance and was assigned to the Army Security Agency Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. After returning home from his military service, Cletus enrolled in Central State (College) University, where he received a bachelor’s of arts degree in Psychology in 1965. Following his time in college, Cletus worked as a financial broker in Oklahoma City, owned Pritchett’s Department Store in Prague from 1972 to 1989 and ended his career with the Department of Human Services from 1989 to 2000. Cletus has served as president of the Prague Chamber of Commerce, president of the Prague Lion’s Club, President of the Prague Kolache Festival and was also honored to be the Grand Marshall. Cletus married his loving wife, Gayle Patricia (Gasper) Eckroat on June 14, 1984 in Oklahoma City and the two were happily married until her passing on January 11, 2010. The two were long time members of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Prague. Cletus was an avid wood worker. He loved working with his hands a creating things for people. He spent many hours crafting his pieces to perfection. He enjoyed making birdhouses, spoons, Christmas decorations and cradles. Cletus was also an avid traveler, he particularly enjoyed seeing Europe. He also spent many hours researching his family history and putting the family tree together. Cletus was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle Patricia (Gasper) Eckroat Pritchett; his parents, Clarence Ollie and Thelma Mary (Gouker) Pritchett and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Ann (Beichner) Pritchett. Cletus is survived by stepsons, William M. Eckroat IV, Joseph A. Eckroat and his wife Ashley; grandchildren, Matthew Danial Eckroat, Zachary Alexander Eckroat, Benjamin Thomas Eckroat, Breanna Heidi Eckroat and Nolan Alexander Eckroat; brothers, Roger Pritchett and his wife Mary Ann (Sefcik) and Joseph Leroy Pritchett and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family of Cletus Pritchett has requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.