Herman "Smokey" H. Pritchett

Herman Howard “Smokey” Pritchett of McCook died Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Cambridge Memorial Hospital. He was 84 years old.

Smokey was born on August 23, 1923, in Dekalb, Alabama to Lawrence E. and Annie Mae (Blanks) Pritchett. He entered the US Army on February 12, 1943 and served in France during World War II. He was honorably discharged on September 22, 1945.

Smokey moved to the McCook community in 1942. He was united in marriage to Vlasta Viola Cobb on September 3, 1943, in Oberlin, KS. He later married Elva C. Dinnell on May 4, 1947. She preceded him in death on August 4, 1996. Smokey was employed by Sehnert’s Bakery for over 30 years. He was also an antique car and junk dealer.

On March 30, 1999, Smokey was reunited in marriage to Vlasta Viola Cobb and they continued to make their home in McCook until his death.

He was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Annie Pritchett; his wife, Elva; stepson, Norman Unger; two brothers, Edward and Curtis; and four sisters, Betty, Ruth, Nellie and Jewel.

He is survived by his wife, Vlasta Viola Pritchett of McCook; two daughters, Lorena and husband, Dan Mehringer, of Holton, KS and Carla Harvey of Sheridan, WY; two step-sons, Donald Unger and wife, Sue, of Burlingame, CA and Jerry Unger and wife, Mary, of Milwaukee, WI; one brother, David Pritchett and wife, Diana, of Ringgold, GA; two sisters, Anne Lou Williams and Daisy Cole of Fort Payne, AL; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Memorials were to be given in his name.

Funeral services were Monday, April 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Jeff Thurman officiating. Burial with military honors took place in the Palisade Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook was in charge of the arrangements.