It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Brian T. Pritchard, 49, who died unexpectedly at his home in Brooklyn, NY on December 24, 2023. His life gone too soon, we will cherish the love and memories that remain, finding some comfort in our heartbreak knowing he never shied away from sharing his love for family and friends.

Brian, born in Memphis, TN and raised in Harriman and Knoxville, TN, ran instead of walked through life and earned the childhood nickname “Boomer the Zoomer.” Brian relished making others laugh and spent his life finding and sharing humor. While attending Bearden High School in Knoxville, TN, his affinity for quirky one liners and brilliance in comedic timing began. When Brian entered a room, the mood lightened and the room became a little brighter – there is no doubt his level of happiness strongly correlated to the amount of joy and laughter he was able to elicit.  

During his teenage years and into early adulthood, Brian was an avid gymnast who won many awards and accolades, allowing him to attend Olympic training camps and competitions. With exceptional academic and athletic abilities, he was accepted into Annapolis Naval Academy where he spent two years on the gymnastics team before finishing his degree in Political Science at the University of Tennessee. After college, you could find him teaching everything from the art of high-flying Trapeze in Turks and Caicos to children’s gymnastic on Chelsea Pier in Manhattan. Brian spent the majority of his adult life in New York City and was there during the events of 9/11. This tragedy made his connection to and love of the city he called home even stronger. He eventually became a real estate broker and Regional Director of Project Management with over 16 years of experience in property management, asset management, and real estate development. 

Above everything, Brian deeply valued his family and friendships. It wasn’t unusual for his cousins to receive a text that read “I’m pretty sure there’s more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is” (Ben Stiller, Zoolander). Those close to him might find a one-liner like “Oh, peaches!” (Will Ferrell, SNL) as a hidden gem in a text chain. And there is no doubt that anyone who knew Brian was likely to receive the most recent picture of his hairless cat children (yes, just like the cat in Austin Powers), Ethan and Cash. Most importantly, he texted his Dad and Mamacita daily. Whether it was sending a picture of the sunset on the city skyline or just to say how much he loved and missed you, Brian’s innate ability to see the silver linings in life was one of the many things that made him so special.     

Brian is survived by his beloved best friend and biggest fan, his “Mamacita,” Gayle Drummond (James); Father and favorite hiking partner, Tommy Pritchard (Christine); Brother, Bradley Pritchard (Daisha); Nephew, Knox Pritchard; his Sister-in-Law and close friend, Diana; his feline furless babies, Ethan and Cash; and numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins that he loved dearly. He is preceded in death by his favorite pup and good ole boy, Jymee-Lee, his grandparents Lois (Memaw) McCracken, Howard (Pepaw) McCracken, Trudy (Memaw) Pritchard, and Tom (Pepaw) Pritchard. 

As you remember Brian, make sure to love your family, friends, and fur (or furless) babies a little harder today because Brian would have wanted that. Take more time to recognize the silver linings in life because that’s what Brian would do. And don’t forget to infuse an impromptu quote from Will Ferrell or Ben Stiller into your next team meeting or group gathering because, if you listen closely enough, you’ll hear Brian belly-laughing from the great beyond. To be a part of Brian’s life was to laugh hard and be loved unconditionally – he saw the best in everyone around him and never had a negative word to say about anyone. We will miss the power of his love but we’re so very grateful it will forever be in our hearts.           

Please join Brian’s family and friends for his celebration of life on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 3-5pm at The Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville West/Bearden located at 250 Brookview Centre way, Knoxville, TN, 37919.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite local animal shelter.