James Leroy Pritchett

James (Jim) Leroy Pritchett, 86, passed away Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024, surrounded by family at Sunrise Assisted Living in Overland Park, KS. Jim will be remembered as a father, brother, grandfather, husband, coach, fisherman, outdoorsman, musician, and a journalist. A Celebration of Life is being planned for June 29, 2024. The family requests that any contributions be made to Kansas City Public Television and/or your local youth sports programs.

Born on 11/15/1937 to James and Lucille Pritchett (Bassett), he was raised in Oklahoma City, OK, where he graduated from Southeast High School before attending Oklahoma University and ultimately the University of Missouri. He had a passion for music, played the trombone and established 4 bands in high school. His love of jazz, blues, big band, folk and lots of other music was apparent as it played throughout the house on the weekends while the entire family attended to their “chores”. During his high school years, he met a girl on a blind date, Deanna Acton. He was from the “other side of the tracks” as she would love to tell it. Her protective brothers, Ted and Herschel, finally approved of the lanky, goofy kid and with her father’s blessing, Jim and Deanna were married on July 27, 1957. They were married 62 years before Deanna’s passing in November of 2018.

They wasted little time building their family and had 4 boys – Curt (ex-wife Mary Miller), Bryan, Eric (wife Linda Moomau) and Darin (wife Michelle). Jim coached each of the boys in various sports throughout their childhood. Many former players have indicated how influential he was in their lives from those coach/player interactions. He very much enjoyed throwing batting practice. He himself enjoyed playing basketball and softball well into his sixties.

Professionally, he had a desire to bring truth to the people through journalism and wanted to give a voice to all causes as exemplified through his “Town Hall” call-in talk show on WHB radio, and “Kansas City Illustrated” on KCPT Television. As a journalist, he presented his stories through tv, radio, and print journalism. His passion to do this work even took him and his family to Nairobi, Kenya from 1974 through 1976. The entire family was grateful for this decision and the adventure influenced each of them. His professional career also included over 20 years working public relations and planning for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.

Along with his parents, wife Deanna, her parents Frank E. Acton, Mary Acton (MacArthur), and eldest son Curt, Jim was preceded in death by his brother’s Tom, and Dan and Deanna’s brothers, Ted and Herschel Acton. His sister, Brunelle, lives in Austin, TX with her husband Eddie Wester. Eddie and Brunelle have 2 daughters – Melissa and Chelsea. Chelsea also has a son, Carter. Jim was always active with his grandchildren, James Maxwell Pritchett (Max), Cameron Pritchett, Sara Pritchett, Cheyanne Pritchett, Ian Pritchett, Morgan Pritchett, and Peyton Pritchett. Jim has 2 great grandchildren, Daxton Pritchett and Lennox Pritchett who are the sons of Cameron and Kayla Pritchett. Jim also loved and appreciated all of the nieces and nephews on Deanna’s side of the family – Gary (deceased), Donna, Debbie (deceased), Tammy and Gina and their families.

Many will remember Jim for his wonderful sense of humor, his extensive lexicon, his fearlessness, his passion for athletics, and his love for his friends and family. He was always one to take the path least traveled and very much enjoyed the journey.

Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.chapelhill-butler.com