Lt. Col. Earl C Prechtel, Ret. was born in Memphis, TN to Earl Otto Prechttel and the former Leota Mae Cole. An Army brat, he grew up in Kitzingen Bavaria, Berlin Germany, St Louis MO, Ft Belvoir VA, West Memphis AR, and Tracy CA.
In High School, he was the band drum major, played clarinet, and achieved "All State" band honors for two years. He was very active in DeMolay and Scouting. He was a member of The Order of the Arrow and an Eagle Scout. He was an excellent dancer in many styles including Native American, Ballroom, and International Folk. He was an avid reader, stamp collector, photographer, and model train enthusiast.
After graduation from Tracy High School CA, he obtained a B.S. in Engineering from Georgia Tech followed by a Masters degree in Science Engineering from Purdue.
His career as a topographic engineer for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers saw tours of duty in Ethiopia, Ft. Belvoir, the Pentagon, Germany, and Italy. While stationed overseas, he married an English girl, Elizabeth Rosemary Russell. They had no children. His wife and parents proceed him in death. He leaves a sister, Colette K. Ellis, a niece Tanya E. Saul, a nephew, Brian K. Ellis, two grand neces, Maegan and Nicole Saul, and one grand nephew, Wyatt Ellis.
A visitation for Earl will be held Tuesday, June 7, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Collierville Funeral Home, 534 West Poplar, Collierville, TN 38017. Following the visitation will be a graveside service from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Crittenden Memorial Park, 2206 Hwy 64, Marion, AR 72364.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colliervillefuneral.com for the Prechtel family.
