Johnny Joe Prichard

On the evening of Monday, February 24, 2025, Johnny Prichard passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family. He was 92 years old.

Johnny was born in a little farmhouse a few miles southeast of Waco, Texas on May 23, 1932. He was the first child, and only son, of Audrey Baty and John Prichard.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Flippin Prichard; two children, Jackie and Sean Prichard (Davis); two grandchildren, Sarah Raye Layden and Tommy Joe (TJ) and Magarci (Robyn); sister, Sarita Nelson (Don); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two other sisters, Peggy Bentley (Bob) and Martha Sawyers (Earl).

When Johnny was in the fourth grade, his family moved across the Red River to Lawton, Oklahoma. He lived in Lawton until graduating from high school. Upon graduating from Lawton High School in May of 1950, he joined the United States Navy on June 26. After completing Basic Training at San Diego, California, the Navy sent him to Norfolk, Virginia for electronics training. From there, he was sent to Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida where he flew in P2V Neptune Patrol Bombers as a Radar Operator.

His Squadron of six P2Vs left Florida and was sent to the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean for six months. They then headed to Port Lyota, North Africa for six months to patrol the Mediterranean for German subs. Next they headed to Sicily near Rome, Italy to patrol for subs for two months. He finally returned to Jacksonville, Florida where he was discharged and attended Florida University for one semester before transferring to the University of Oklahoma and joined the United States Air Force Reserves. After one semester there, he was called to active duty as an AF Staff Sergeant and sent to Sheppard AF Base, TX where he taught Electronics on Snark and Atlas Guided Missiles.

After about a year of teaching, he was recommended to attend the Officer Candidate Training School. He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant and was sent back to Sheppard AFB. He went back into the classroom to teach senior officers who were scheduled to supervise missile squadrons.

He was then sent to Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and was promoted to Captain. He became the supervisor of the Airman’s Electronic training.

He was selected for Operation Bootstrap to complete his college training. He graduated from the University of Nebraska. He was later transferred to Kessler AFB in Biloxi Mississippi, as a supervisor of the Officer’s Club, NCO Club and Airman’s Club. While there he was promoted to Major.

He served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

He retired from the USAF in 1978.

He was the first Town Manager of Pilot Mountain, NC and held that position for three years.

He taught electronics at East Surry High School for three years. He left East Surry to become the Planning Director for Surry County. He held that position for three years. After which time he was appointed a Magistrate for Surry County for eight years.

He moved from North Carolina to Polk County in Bartow, Florida. He was the Polk County Housing Inspector for 2.5 years. In 2010, he left Florida and moved back to North Carolina to fully retire and spend time enjoying his family. Johnny was also known as a “dog whisperer”. All dogs loved him.

Johnny was a member of the Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina for 20 plus years.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 on February 28, 2025 at the Pilot Mountain City Cemetery, Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, with Penny Taylor officiating.