Larry Michael Pritchett

Pastor Larry Michael Pritchett, 73, of Delmar, Delaware, unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Larry was born in Milford, Delaware, on April 26, 1951, and was the son of the late Emanuel “Buddy” Pritchett Jr. and Loretta L. (Malfitano) Pritchett. He was a graduate of the Bridgeville (DE) High School Class of 1969.

As a child and teenager, Larry’s well renowned work ethic began in working the fields at the Malfitano farm in Bridgeville. While in high school, Larry played football and worked for O.A. Newton and Sons. On December 6, 1970, at 19 years of age, while attending a service at Friendship Church with the late Bernice Arner, Larry gave his heart to the Lord. In 1971, Larry married the late Brenda Lee (Hope) Pritchett, with whom he would spend the next 51 years. Larry worked many years for Comfort Heating and Air in Bridgeville, where he met several lifelong friends. Larry felt the calling to occupational missionary work which led him and his young family to the Pillar of Fire in London, England. There, he served the Lord through maintenance work while Brenda cooked for and fed the community. After three years, they returned to the States, and he went back to work at Comfort, partnered with his brother Kevin in business for a couple years, and built his second home in Greenwood.

Before long, Larry felt called by the Lord into full-time ministry. He attended Zarephath Bible Seminary in New Jersey, where he completed studies to become an ordained minister in 1990. In 1991 he moved his family to Boulder, CO where he began his first pastorate for two years.  Pastor Larry felt everyone should have access to hear the word of the Lord, so while there, he went as far as to obtain his CDL license to be able to transport anyone who desired to go to church. Throughout the years, Larry pastored many churches including American Rescue Workers in Old Bridge, New Jersey, First Wesleyan Denton, Millsboro Wesleyan, and Milton Wesleyan. Larry finally retired from his full-time career as a pastor in 2020, after serving an additional four years at First Wesleyan Denton.

He worked as a maintenance supervisor at Homestead / Heritage Senior Living in Denton, Maryland, until his passing. Even though retired from full-time ministry, he would fill in where needed and was often called upon by those he touched along the way for weddings and funerals.

Larry was able to find joy with his surviving wife, Mary Pritchett, whom he married on February 14, 2024. Mary and Larry relished a fulfilling life together brimming with many activities and events. They enjoyed reading the Bible together, spending time in prayer, ministering to others, camping, attending concerts, watching their rival football teams play, viewing sunsets, and cherishing time with family and friends. Most Sunday afternoons you could find the couple at Phillips Landing watching the various boats and birds pass them by.

Pastor Larry loved his ministry, his family and friends, riding his Harley-Davidson, working outside, and building things with his hands. In closing, Larry requested in his last message for everyone to be thankful in all things and to have an attitude of gratitude.  As he said many times to others, the same can surely be said back to him...“It has been a pleasure, beyond measure, that I will always treasure”.  Anyone crossing paths with Larry Pritchett knew the world was a better place with him in it.

Pastor Larry is survived by his loving wife, Mary M. Pritchett; his children: Dawn Pritchett (Stephanie) of Laurel, Delaware; Scott Pritchett (Courtney) of Collinsville, Illinois; and Beth Pritchett (Christina) of Laurel, Delaware; bonus daughter Krista Cooper (Sam) of Denton, Maryland; grandchildren: Bekah, Owen, Kerith, Cole, Emmett, and Rosalie; bonus granddaughters: Tiffany, Priscilla, Mary, Olivia; bonus grandson Sammy; bonus great-grandchildren: Kai, Julia, and Vincent. Siblings: Ronald Pritchett (Bonnie) of Seaford, Delaware; Christine Weaber (Lee) of Greenwood, Delaware; and Kevin Pritchett (Shelia) of Bridgeville, Delaware; and many nieces and nephews; His special Aunt Shirley Diefenderfer of Laurel, Delaware, and his faithful cat, Harley.

A celebration of life will be held at Living Waters Assembly at 9058 Double Hills Road, Denton, Maryland 21629 on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Delmarva Gospel Music Association sent to DGMA 6315 Turkey Branch Rd Laurel, DE 19956 or any church or charity.

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