David A. Pritchard 1923-2021

He was born to the late Joseph H. Pritchard Sr. and Anna Hargate of Austintown, on Aug. 23, 1923.

David graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1942 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Youngstown College in 1950.

David married Barbara J. Hengen, on April 5, 1950, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Youngstown. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. After retiring from Youngstown Sheet and Tube in 1979, he and Barbara operated their own company, Barb Metal Service, until he retired in 1999.

David is predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Barbara J. Hengen Pritchard; his four brothers, Joseph H. Pritchard, Benjamin H. Pritchard, Robert S. Pritchard and Paul J. Pritchard; and two sisters, JoAnne Pritchard and Ruth Pritchard.

He is survived by three children, David (Tracey) Pritchard Jr. of Canfield, Jeffrey (JoAnne) Pritchard of North Kingsville and Elaine (Thomas) Pritchard Hoffman of Leesville, S.C. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Abby (Nick) Frankle of Zionsville, Ind., Ryan (Paige) Pritchard of Dallas, Texas, Lt. Cmdr. Jillian Hoffman (Joseph Naylor) of Buffalo, N.Y., Dr. Elizabeth Baranek (Brian) of North Ridgeville, Joseph (Dr. Veronica) Pritchard of Madison, Miss. and Lauren Hoffman of Dallas, Texas; and two great-grandchildren, Riley and Reagan Frankle.

Prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, David worked for Truscon Steel, a division of Republic Steel. While in the Army, he served in ordnance, parachute infantry, 542nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, transportation corps and the NY Port of Embarkation bakers and cooks school. He was honorably discharged in 1946, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant. In 1950, he served in the 363rd Ordnance Ammunition Company from Youngstown in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of master sergeant.

David entered the sales training program at Youngstown Sheet & Tube in 1952 and was initially located in the Cleveland district. From 1963 to 1971, he was assistant manager of the bar, rod and wire sales in Boardman. He served as district sales manager of the Buffalo, N.Y. sales office from 1971 to 1974, and from 1974 to 1979, was district sales manager of the Pittsburgh, Pa. sales office.

David was a Free and Accepted Mason in Wick Lodge No. 481, formerly Hillman Lodge. He was a member of Boardman United Methodist Church. He enjoyed sailing, traveling, Steelers football games, cooking and gardening. But what his family will remember the most is the time they spent with their dad / grandfather at his lake home on Lake Erie. It was a small house that provided big memories. David, Barbara and their children started weekending at the lake in 1969 and David continued that passion until he was in his 90s. All family members received his sage advice while sitting around his bonfires or on a boat ride on the lake.

David will be remembered by his family as a man of strength, resolute morals, stability and discernment. He was a people person with a sharp mind and was always available and interested in the lives of his children and grandchildren.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland. There will be a funeral service to follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Russ Adams officiating.

The family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions to The Salvation Army, 1501 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown,OH 44511; the United Service Organization (USO), P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677; or to Boardman United Methodist Church Youth Group, 6809 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512, in memory of David.

Condolences may be sent to David’s family at www.beckerobits.com.

(special notice)