Gary Thomas “Pritch” Pritchard

Gary Thomas Pritchard, 81, of the Town of Rome, WI, formerly of Grafton, WI, passed away peacefully in his sleep and went home to be with Jesus the morning of Wednesday, December 11, 2024, after a long fight battling congestive heart failure.
Gary was born on June 29, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Hayden and Leonora (Druschke) Pritchard. He was born with a competitive spirit and caring soul that he shared with his numerous students, athletes, friends, and family. He married his high school sweetheart, Marlene D. Woyach, on January 23, 1965 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Milwaukee, WI. Gary attended Shorewood and Germantown High School before enrolling at UW-Whitewater, where he earned a Master of Education Degree.
Gary became a devoted educator in Business Law and Accounting at Grafton High School. He was known as a patient, encouraging, methodical, and organized teacher. Gary’s unending love of sports led him to coach tennis, football, and basketball as a young teacher, before focusing on cross-country and track. Known as Coach Pritch, he was also a successful, impactful, and popular cross-country and track coach at Grafton High School, where he taught and coached for 35 years. He kept in touch with many of his student athletes after their graduation. Coach Pritch earned many accolades such as Coach of the Year and took his Grafton Blackhawk runners to state.
Gary held many leadership positions in various organizations, such as President of the Wisconsin Teacher’s Business Association, Treasurer of The Lion’s Club in Grafton, WI, and Treasurer of the Men’s Golf League at Lake Arrowhead. After his retirement from Grafton High School, he continued his love of coaching cross-country for Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids, where he took his team to the state tournament.
Pritch enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and all College sports. He loved people and was a very active person. In retirement, Pritch enjoyed playing cards, horseshoes, and especially golfing with his Men’s Lake Arrowhead League. More than anything else, he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Gary was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marlene; his three children: Todd Pritchard, Tracy (Tim) Corbin, and T.J. (Stephanie) Pritchard; his four grandchildren: Tyler, Jac, Sydney, and Paige; his brother, Ron (Jean) Pritchard, his sister, Debbie (Terry) Sander; his brother-in-law Ron Woyach, his sister-in-law Barb Sparks; as well as many special nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Hayden and Leonora Pritchard; and his brothers-in-law Kenneth Woyach and Larry Woyach.
Although Gary is no longer here with us, he will live in our hearts forever. He left a big impact on everyone who knew him and he encouraged and mentored countless students and athletes. Gary lived life to the fullest until the Lord called him home.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Gary Thomas Pritchard’s honor, “Pritch” on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at his favorite place:
Lake Arrowhead Club House
1195 Apache Lane
Nekoosa, Wisconsin 54457-9210
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in memory of Gary Pritchard “Pritch” to the schools and athletic programs that were close to his heart:
Grafton High School / Cross-Country and Track
1950 Washington Street
Grafton, WI 53024
Assumption Catholic Schools / Cross-Country
445 Chestnut Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494