James M. Prichard

James Prichard, age 86, of Storm Lake passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012 at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community. James McMurtry Prichard was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on February 7, 1926. The son of James Skewis Prichard and Mary Fern (McMurtry) Prichard, he started kindergarten in Duluth, Minnesota and continued his elementary education in Kansas City, Missouri and St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1932, he moved with his family to Storm Lake, where he attended North School. Jim graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1943 and a month later, entered the Naval V-12 College Training Program. He was first sent to St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa and then to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He was commissioned as ensign in 1945 and served in the Pacific on a PCE (Patrol Craft Escort) ship which was converted to a weather ship. Because the longest serving officers were released first after the war ended, Jim found himself, at age 19, second in command of 70 men. Following his release from the Navy in 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant J.G., he entered the University of Iowa where he graduated in 1947. In 1950, he graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law and subsequently practiced law in Davenport and Des Moines. On August 23, 1953, Jim was married to Eloise Yon of Storm Lake. To this union were born three children: James Y. Prichard of Northfield, Minnesota; Thomas W. Prichard of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Jane E. Prichard of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. In 1957, Jim returned to Storm Lake with his family to practice law with Z.Z. White and Don C. White, an association that lasted until 1980 with the passing of Z.Z. White. Jim was a conscientious attorney who always sought the best interests of his clients. He was known for his integrity and was highly regarded by the legal community. Jim was the first president of the Methodist Manor and served on its board for 20 years. He also served as president of the Storm Lake Industrial Development Corporation and chairman of the Buena Vista County Republican Party and the Buena Vista County Red Cross. Jim was always an avid reader, especially concerning history and biography. He particularly enjoyed reading about the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. He greatly admired Lincoln and would often quote him in particular circumstances. He also was a fan of trains, taking numerous cross-country trips with Eloise on Amtrak. He was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Fern Prichard; and his brother, John. He is survived by his wife, Eloise; his children: Jim (Tammy), Tom (Lois), and Jane; eleven grandchildren: Megan Prichard of Boca Raton, Florida; Eric Prichard of Madison, Wisconsin; Katie Prichard of Durham, England; Sean Prichard, Faith Prichard, Ryan Prichard and Emma Prichard, all of Northfield, Minnesota; Julia Prichard, Ellen Prichard, Joel Prichard, and Anna Prichard, all of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also survived by his brother, Phil (Delaine) Prichard of Davenport, Iowa; sister-in-law, Carol Prichard and brother-in-law, Wyatt Yon, both of Storm Lake; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

James M. Prichard

February 7, 1926 - May 13, 2012