Charles Joseph Pritchett

Longtime Reelsville resident Charles Pritchett, retired air traffic control supervisor at the Indianapolis Enroute Facility, died Jan. 24, 2020, one day shy of his 64th birthday.

Charlie was born Jan. 25, 1956 in Indianapolis, the eldest son of late Geraldine Aker Pritchett and Joseph M. Pritchett but moved to Greencastle with his mother and younger brother David in his early years.

As a piano and keyboard player, Charlie was a member of several bands as a teenager as well as into his 20s.

Charlie was a medic and ambulance driver for Operation Life in Greencastle.

He served in the Air Force from 1980 to 1986 as an air traffic control operator, being stationed first at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, and then at Seymour Johnson in Greensboro, N.C.

He married Holly (Hollister) Nolan Pritchett on July 20, 1985.

Charlie graduated from DePauw University and the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. After being discharged from the Air Force he was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller, retiring in 2012 as an area supervisor.

Charlie loved being in the woods and could identify every tree in the forest. He loved all things aviation, including knowing and recognizing all different types of airplanes as well as having a knowledge of clouds and weather systems.

His love of music never wavered and, in particular, had a special fondness for jazz.

Charlie loved to spend time with his family. Notable activities include skiing in Colorado, scuba diving in Cozumel, and playing euchre for hours.

Charlie was preceded in death by his grandmother, Marie B. Aker; father Joseph M. Pritchett; uncle Charles L. Aker; brother David C. Pritchett; and mother Geraldine Aker Pritchett.

He is survived by his forever cribbage and euchre partner (and wife of 33 years) Holly, the sunshine of his life, daughter Phoebe Migliano, and the apple of his eye, grandson David M. Migliano.

A celebration of life will be held later in the spring.