February 22, 1934 – May 1, 2023
C. Austin “Pete” Pritchett, 89, of Bedford, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the
Stonebridge Health Campus in Bedford.
Born February 22, 1934, he was the son of Emery A. and Edna Yeskie Pritchett. He married Marilyn Sue Howell on September 5, 1955, and she preceded him in death on March 14, 2001. He then married Mary Catherine Patton Darcus and she preceded him in death on October 28, 2020.
Pete was a graduate of Oolitic High School with the class of 1952 where he was a star on the Bearcats
basketball team. He then went on to play basketball and earn both a Batchelor’s and Master’s degree at Indiana State Teachers College, now known as Indiana State University.
After college, he coached basketball at Mooresville High School, at his alma mater, Oolitic High School, and most notably was the Head Coach of the Bedford North Lawrence Lady Stars Basketball program from the 1982-83 season until 1994. It was during this time that the Lady Stars set the standard for Girl’s Basketball in Indiana by winning the IHSAA State Championship in 1983 and 1991. The 1991 team ended the season undefeated.
Pete was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and was joined there by his daughter Kristin who was inducted in 2022. He had two teams that were also inducted into the hall of fame, the Lady Stars classes of 1983 and 1991.
Pete also had a life outside of basketball. He retired as a teacher in the North Lawrence Community Schools, enjoyed woodworking, and had a farm where he spent many hours working with his cattle and
taking care of the land. Pete Pritchett was not only a tall man in stature, he lived a big life that influenced everyone who knew him.
Surviving to forever remember Pete are his two children and their spouses, Aaron (Julie) Pritchett and Kristin (Steve) Messmore; his grandchildren, Benjamin Pritchett, Mckenzie Messmore, and Austin Messmore; his sister, Judy McCart; his nieces, Terri (Steve) Kimbley and Tracy (David) Lee; and his nephews, Scott (Shalon) McCart and David (Meleah) McCart.
He was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; two daughters in infancy, Lessa Diane and Jana Lynett Pritchett; and his brother-in-law, Larry McCart.
Funeral services for C. Austin “Pete” Pritchett will be at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the BNL
Gymnasium with Phil Thorne officiating. Burial will be Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Clover Hill Cemetery in Harrodsburg, IN. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 4 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes in Bedford.
In lieu of flowers and to honor the legacy of Pete, the family requests memorial contributions to the West Washington Lady Senators Basketball Team where his daughter and granddaughter coach. These donations can be made at Ferguson-Lee Chapel.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared online at www.FergusonLee.com.
