John Henry Pritchett, Sr. passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Hood Memorial Hospital at 11:30 PM with his son, John Pritchett,  Jr., at his side. John Pritchett, Sr. was born in Sunny South, Alabama on April 12, 1930. He grew up in Clarke County, Alabama and due to the lack of opportunities for a young man, he enlisted in the Army at 17 years old. He completed his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After a short visit home, he was sent to Japan, where he was assigned to the 1st Calvary Division. When the Korean War broke out in July 25, 1950, John was shipped to Korea where he was part of the beach landing. Magazine reporters were on the scene and John's picture appeared in an issue of Life Magazine. He would spend 12 months in combat on the front lines. Toward the end of his three year enlistment, he served another year at Fort Benning, Georgia. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and  received numerous military commendations, including a Silver Star. After being mustered out of the service in 1952, he married Juanita Singleton and they had three sons and made Roseland, Louisiana their home. John was active in the Roseland Volunteer Fire Department, Roseland Boy Scouts, served on the Roseland Town Council and was appointed Mayor of Roseland by Governor Earl K. Long for two years. He was active in the Sheriff's Reserves under Sheriff Frank M. Edwards, Jr. He was a member of the Amite Masonic Lodge and enjoyed the camaraderie of the VFW. He was a deacon at Roseland Baptist Church for 50 years and is currently a member of the Kedron Baptist Church. John was retired from the Louisiana Power and Light Company after 27 years. In his senior years, he served two terms on the Roseland Town Council. John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Juanita Singleton Pritchett; two sons, John Pritchett, Jr. and his wife, Virgie, of Roseland; and Chester Pritchett and fiancé, Linda Cutrer; two sisters, Eloise Walters of Massachusetts and Winnie Myrl Nelson of Fulton, Alabama and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by one son, Rodney Earl Pritchett; his parents, Dixie Joe and Oni Champion Pritchett; two brothers, Dixie Clay Pritchett and Billy Joe Pritchett; and his sister, Laura Pritchett Newton. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Clay Pritchett, Jason Blackman, Shane Hendry, Jimmy Ballard, Clint Hendry, and Baylor Blanchard. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 PM until 9 PM on Friday and from 9 AM until religious services at 11 AM on Saturday, August 19, 2017. Services conducted by Brother Jacob Williams. Interment Arcola Roseland Cemetery, Arcola. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com .