Douglas A. Prickett

October 5th 1960 - October 5th 2020

Hello all, family and friends (I would say acquaintances but if you knew my father than you are already a friend to him). My name is Kenny Prickett. I am Doug Prickett's oldest son. Thank you all for coming and a very special thank you to those that have drove or flown in from out of state. It means a lot to us, and I know it would mean the world to Doug.

In 1960, in Nampa Idaho, an amazing man was born, to Vera and Allen Prickett. He had two sisters, Kathy and Susan. They grew up in Middleton, and moved to Union, Oregon when he was around 14. I don't recall him speaking about many school sports growing up, except for wrestling. He was a state champion wrestler, and absolutely loved the sport. Looking at pictures during his time wrestling, he was extremely muscular. And that physique only got bigger, badder and better over time. My Dad was an OX! Dad made sure that my brother Tony and I knew what wrestling was. He would grapple with us all the time, whether we wanted to or not. I am not sure that a swift claw hand to the ribs was a legal move, but oh he was good at it!

Pro wrestling aside, my father was a true, honest to God cowboy. Through and through. His style, his character, his demeanor, his actions. He had a passion for horses, working them and taking care of them. He loved shoeing horses and had inevitably became a farrier blacksmith. He was good at it! Good enough that he picked up a few blue ribbons in farrier competitions. Younger Dad loved participating in rodeos, and through the years I personally can't remember him missing any rodeo that had come to town. Dad enjoyed spending time with his sister Kathy and her husband Bert, out on their ranch in Oregon. He loved heading up in the spring to help work the cattle with Bert and the family. Dad loved watching old western movies and could give you a full history lesson on the lives of almost all the actors. In his downtime at home, if he was in front of the TV, odds were pretty good he had a John Wayne marathon going on. I have to say, my Dad was genuinely the cowboy embodiment of those western heroes.

At age 22, Doug was out dancing. This is where he met his Bride, Margie, for the very first time. He had complimented her on her fantastic pockets. Noticing that she did not fully understand the compliment, he repeated it as she walked by again. She laughs about it now, at how she honestly did not know he was telling her she had a nice - tuchus. They danced, and again the next night. A few more dates and Doug had swept Margie off her feet, and neither of them have ever looked back. They were married just a few months later. A dear friend Sue Hebison had informed Margie that when Doug first saw Margie, he told Sue point blank, "I'm going to marry her." He wasn't joking. From their engagement forward, Doug has always referred to Margie as his Beautiful Bride. No matter the occasion, no matter the location, no matter the company, Margie would and forever will be his Beautiful Bride. Mom will tell you that she was spoiled and blessed, and she truly was both. Dad would do anything for her. No matter what. That same love and devotion was shared with his boys. My brother and I will also confess that we were spoiled and so very blessed by our Dad.

My father loved my mother passionately, fiercely, and without end. He would not let a issue or misunderstanding ever go unresolved for any length of time. Any time spent in a feud or a tiff was time lost that could have been spent loving his Bride. That time lost was unsatisfactory for Doug Prickett, and he would not allow it. My Dad was not only a lover, but he was a teacher. His love for my Mom was not a secret, and his affection was not effected by an audience. Holding hands and kissing in public, was not odd behavior. Chivalry was not lost with my Dad. Opening doors, pulling out chairs, ladies first and his Bride foremost. Dads open actions modeled for my brother and I what a real man looks like, and how a man should perform and act. He had shown us how to really love a woman like she has never been loved before. A subtle gesture that has been seen and commented on by so many people, is the way my Dad would so lightly place his hand on my Moms back. She could be talking to someone and him speaking with someone else, but his hand would come up and rest against her back. Just to insure that he has not forgot her, indicating that he is still there for her, saying without a word... he loves her.

When someone you love passes away, there is a strong temptation to remember them perhaps a little too well. Misdeeds are forgotten. Offenses are forgiven. Only the most shining characteristics of our loved ones make it into the version of them that we keep with us when they depart. Looking back, even if I had to list a single bad memory of my father, I could not. My Dad's only fault was in leaving behind (WAY to soon), a wife and two kids who loved him very very very much.

My Dad who was country, tough as nails, and made up of unobtanium... believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He understood and believed whole heartedly in the gospel. And though he had so much love for his wife, kids, family and friends... his love for God superseded everyone. Because my mother, my brother, myself and our families also know Christ as our Savior, as well as our Christian family and friends. And because of this single fact about Doug Prickett, we can rest in that blessed hope. We can have that peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, and know it will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. We WILL be with your Husband, our Dad, your Brother, your Grandpa, your Uncle, your Friend, again. (Amen)

I feel the hand of God worked wonders in my Dad. I believe that hand made him who he was, and that gift was shared with countless people. His ability to read people, and to make new friends with only short conversations was magic. His generosity and sympathetic nature drew people to him. Dad could relate to anyone, from all walks of life. He was a empathetic man. He valued character over pedigree, and looked for the good in each and every person... and he usually found it. I believe we could have filled a stadium with the amount of people that have been touched by my Dad. Not just people that my Dad or my Mom have run a crossed over time, even the friends Tony and I have brought home while growing up. They all still come by the house to say hi, have a cup of coffee and chat with Dad and my Mom.

Dad had his work cut out for him, with 6 grandkids, 2 great grandkids, 5 nieces, 9 nephews. Dad, aka Uncle Doug, Grandpa, Papa, or El Padre, would always find the time for his grand children, nieces and nephews. Each of them know how much he loved them and cherished them, because he told them. All the time. In texts, letters, voice mails, random packages and heartfelt gifts. Dad was caring, he was engaged when they spoke to him, and he was fun. When kids were not hanging off his legs and arms, he was flexing his muscles and dropping knowledge. Asking important questions such as,
- Did you get your tickets? To the gun show!
- Do you have a sewing kit? Cuz, I'm ripped!
- I might need to see a vet. Cuz, these puppies are sick!

I remember just cracking up over the things my Dad would say. Looking at my brother and wondering, where in the world does he come up with this stuff. Dads humor was infectious. You could have a serious conversation and get through some deep topics, however shortly after you will be laughing and carrying on like children. I know Dad preferred smiling, giggling and laughter as a much better way to spend his time.

My Dad was a patriot and servant to the core. To God, to his family, to his people, and very much so to his country. My father served in the Navy for a while, and really enjoyed serving his city as a officer of the law for the Canyon Country Police department. His most recent service has been with the United States Army. He was gung ho and good at it. Each of these services has brought new members to his family. Each of these bands of brothers and sisters, meant the world to my father. The passion and love he had for them was indecipherable from blood.

Doug's service was selfless. He noticed the needs of others and took tangible steps to meet them. If God himself, in human flesh, could wash his disciple's feet, it was not below Doug Prickett, as head of his household, to lead through similar service. A while back Dad was stopped in construction traffic coming home from McCall, there was a young guy flagging for road construction in freezing temps with just a hoodie. Dad got into the back of his truck and got out a winter work coat, hat and work gloves and brought them to him. That was my Dad. A true life like Angel.

I loved my Dad very much and will miss him so dearly. His lifetime of dedication and self-sacrifice serve as a monument to the exemplary man he was. His humility, integrity, honor, generosity, faith, and overflowing love, continue to inspire, bolster, and carry all those who knew him.

We love you Dad, and will see you soon.

Thank you all again for coming, and honoring my father.