Obituary
Sterling Pritchett was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He left this world on February 24, 2022, at the age of 75, after complications from a sudden stroke. He was surrounded by his family, and was greeted on the other side by many loved ones.
He was born in Portland, Oregon on August 7, 1946 to Hope and W.T. Pritchett. He graduated from Orem High School in 1964. After graduation, Sterling enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he actively served for 3 years. He continued in the U.S. Naval Reserves until his retirement in 1986. He was a proud veteran and deeply loved the friendships made during his service. He attended Weber State College, worked for the IRS, and retired from the Utah State Government Tax Commission after 30 years.
He married Kristine Cook on December 3, 1971. Together they had four children. He married Linda Dee Smith on December 16, 1997, where he also gained a son, and they spent a joyous 24 years together until Linda’s passing on April 28, 2021. One of their favorite pastimes together was singing karaoke and Linda especially loved when he sang anything by Elvis.
Sterling was a long-time member of the Aspen 5th Ward in Orem, UT, and most recently the Paradise Branch in Alpine, UT. He enjoyed serving in the church and held various callings in the high priests group, young mens, and as a ward missionary. He was also a gifted singer and loved singing with the church choir.
Words were important to him. He was a master speller (and would oftentimes challenge his grandchildren to spelling contests), never gave a card without a heart-felt message, and collected inspirational quotes that he loved to share. Many of his loved ones were the recipient of his “Words of Wisdom” quote compilation book. He was a good, kind man and a loyal friend. Nobody in his life doubted his love or concern for them. Other things in his life that brought him joy were skiing, writing, cars, movies, monthly dinners with his navy friends, and socializing.
Sterling is survived by his sisters, Pam Wily (Bob) and Paula Hinckley (Greg); one son, Chad Pritchett (Jill); daughters, Heather Dawson (Fred), Laurie Coleman (Dustin), and Lacie Koford (Kelly). He is also survived by his 16 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He cherished his family and was always so proud of them.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Dee Smith Pritchett, his parents, Hope Whatcott Pritchett and W.T. Pritchett, his son, Ronald “Ron” Lee Williams, and his grandson, Greg. He is having a great reunion with those family members and friends that he missed and loved so greatly in this life.
Services will be held at 12:00pm on Tuesday, March 1, at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home located at 646 E 800 N, Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held prior from 10:30am - 11:30am. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank all of the caring nurses and doctors who served him during his last days, especially the nurses in the cath lab at Mountain Point Hospital and the ER nurses and doctors at Utah Valley Medical Center.
“The road of life is fraught with many detours and side-streets. Our loving Heavenly Father and Savior will aid in the mapping out of our journey and will also aid in our staying on the course that will lead us to our ultimate destination.” -Sterling Pritchett
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.walkersanderson.com.
He was born in Portland, Oregon on August 7, 1946 to Hope and W.T. Pritchett. He graduated from Orem High School in 1964. After graduation, Sterling enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he actively served for 3 years. He continued in the U.S. Naval Reserves until his retirement in 1986. He was a proud veteran and deeply loved the friendships made during his service. He attended Weber State College, worked for the IRS, and retired from the Utah State Government Tax Commission after 30 years.
He married Kristine Cook on December 3, 1971. Together they had four children. He married Linda Dee Smith on December 16, 1997, where he also gained a son, and they spent a joyous 24 years together until Linda’s passing on April 28, 2021. One of their favorite pastimes together was singing karaoke and Linda especially loved when he sang anything by Elvis.
Sterling was a long-time member of the Aspen 5th Ward in Orem, UT, and most recently the Paradise Branch in Alpine, UT. He enjoyed serving in the church and held various callings in the high priests group, young mens, and as a ward missionary. He was also a gifted singer and loved singing with the church choir.
Words were important to him. He was a master speller (and would oftentimes challenge his grandchildren to spelling contests), never gave a card without a heart-felt message, and collected inspirational quotes that he loved to share. Many of his loved ones were the recipient of his “Words of Wisdom” quote compilation book. He was a good, kind man and a loyal friend. Nobody in his life doubted his love or concern for them. Other things in his life that brought him joy were skiing, writing, cars, movies, monthly dinners with his navy friends, and socializing.
Sterling is survived by his sisters, Pam Wily (Bob) and Paula Hinckley (Greg); one son, Chad Pritchett (Jill); daughters, Heather Dawson (Fred), Laurie Coleman (Dustin), and Lacie Koford (Kelly). He is also survived by his 16 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He cherished his family and was always so proud of them.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Dee Smith Pritchett, his parents, Hope Whatcott Pritchett and W.T. Pritchett, his son, Ronald “Ron” Lee Williams, and his grandson, Greg. He is having a great reunion with those family members and friends that he missed and loved so greatly in this life.
Services will be held at 12:00pm on Tuesday, March 1, at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home located at 646 E 800 N, Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held prior from 10:30am - 11:30am. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank all of the caring nurses and doctors who served him during his last days, especially the nurses in the cath lab at Mountain Point Hospital and the ER nurses and doctors at Utah Valley Medical Center.
“The road of life is fraught with many detours and side-streets. Our loving Heavenly Father and Savior will aid in the mapping out of our journey and will also aid in our staying on the course that will lead us to our ultimate destination.” -Sterling Pritchett
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.walkersanderson.com.
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