Edward Drake Pritchard's Obituary
Edward Drake Pritchard, (Ed) 85, of Alva, Florida, resident of FL since 1968, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020. He was born June 28, 1934 in Arnolds Park, Iowa in one of his Grandparents rental Cottages on Lake Okoboji to the late John and Madeline Pritchard.
Edward was known to frequent the Veranda in Down Town Fort Myers to unwind after a band job. He would play his trumpet while Lila played the piano on the piano bar. He was an amazing jazz trumpet player who graduated in 1952 from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. He attended Drake University for 2 years and was drafted into the Navy where he served as Education and Training Petty Officer.
After discharge he moved back to Des Moines and became manager of a small hi fi shop and where he met his 1st wife, Martha Scobee. Edward moved his family to Florida in 1968 where he became a salesman of a television and appliance store and eventually became manager of that store. He divorced in 1980 and met his 2nd wife, Susan Shoemaker a few years later. They wed in 1985 and with his wife, Susan’s encouragement he opened two Entertainment agencies. They moved to Alva, FL in 1994 where he retired in 1996 but still played his horns. It has been his great fortune to work with many talented musicians here in S. W. Florida and throughout the world.
Ed had many passions; music being his number one and art in many forms. Edward especially loved glass art and was a big collector of glass paperweights. He enjoyed writing limericks, poems and loved to tell stories and jokes. Later in life Edward started painting and experimenting with different mediums. He was a wonderful Husband and loving Father. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Pritchard; second wife, Susan L. Shoemaker, his brother Dr. Douglas Pritchard and cat, Lizabeth.
Edward is survived by his three loving children, Justin Pritchard of Ft. Myers, FL, Matthew Pritchard of Ft. Myers, FL and Leslie Radaker (Scott) of Alva, FL; brother, Richard Pritchard (Esther) of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Janice Pritchard of Rochester, MN, step daughter, Michelle Pescatrice (Joseph) of Cape Coral, FL; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Jonathan, Jamie, Andrew, Taylor, Jessica, Jordan, Emily, great grandchildren and cat, Lila.
A Celebration of “Edwards” Life will be held at a later date for family and close friends.
Arrangements for final care have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer a condolence at this difficult time please visit www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign the guestbook.
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