"Please accept my sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one. May your cherished memories and the warmth of family and friends help ease the pain of your loss. Jehovah God is the source of comfort (1Cor.1:3,4) and he gives you the comfort and strength you need during your time of grief."
In loving memory of
Anthony John Prickett
March 1, 1944 - October 29, 2013
Anthony J. Prickett , MRCVS
Anthony John Prickett, 69, passed away Oct. 29, 2013, at home in Glenwood, Iowa, after nearly seven years of fighting the deadliest form of brain cancer. This length of time was extraordinary for this tumor and is a testament to his strength of spirit as well as the family and friends who surrounded him. He is one of the longest term survivors worldwide.
Tony was born March 1, 1944, in Woking England to Eileen Buckler Prickett and John Foster Prickett. Eileen's father was Chairman of Glaxo; her grandfather was headmaster of Dover College. Eileen's mother was a direct descendant of Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII. John's father was educated at Repton (location of Chariots of Fire and Good-bye Mr. Chips) and was Accounts Manager for British Oxygen. John's mother started a most successful millinery shop. Her father was a famous cricketer who was Captain of England.
Tony attended Repton School, Derby, England, from 1954-1962 (founded 1559). He graduated as Head of House, and was Captain of the Rifle Team and the Boxing Team. In 1968 he graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, at London University. He had a medical internship at the Royal Veterinary College from 1968-1969 which was followed by an Equine Residency in Medicine and Surgery at Iowa State University from 1969-1972. He was an equine practitioner in a 10 person veterinary practice in Salisbury, England from 1972-1974. After his marriage in 1975 to Sally Brown, DVM, they purchased a veterinary practice from Dr. Alan Raun and started Prickett Veterinary Clinic in Cumming, Iowa. This practice was limited to large animals and specialized in horses. He became an Iowa Race Commission Veterinarian at Bluffs Run Greyhound Track in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1989. Tony and Sally and their two sons moved to Glenwood, Iowa, in September 1991 after selling their practice in Cumming, Iowa.
Tony was a long time member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, British Veterinary Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Quarter Horse Association (Lifetime),Iowa Quarter Horse Association (Helped start the Iowa Amateur QHA with Sally), Iowa Horse Industry Council (President 2 years, during passage of pari-mutual in Iowa, and started the Iowa Horse Fair), US Soccer Federation (Certified Referee), and the Iowa Soccer Association (State Board Member numerous years).
Tony and Sally met at Iowa State University at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 1969 and were married in Forest City, Iowa, in 1975. This marriage was blessed with two sons, John Rodger (1981) and Thomas David (1984). John received his Ph.D. from ISU and will receive his DVM degree in May of 2014. Tom received his Juris Doctorate from Creighton and practices in Omaha, Nebraska.
Tony was passionate about golf, soccer, racquetball, hunting, fishing, skiing, country music, cooking, dog walking, and reading among other things. He loved to teach his sons and coach them in these activities as well as participate with his many friends. He loved Big Sugar Bush Lake in Minnesota and Sun City West, Arizona, where he had many friends as well. He had a great zest for life and continued forward until the end.
Tony is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sally, and son John Rodger and his wife Alana McNutt Prickett and son Thomas David and his wife Emily Van Norman Prickett; brother Peter J. Prickett (Sara) of U.K. and sister Susan Prickett Griston (John) of U.K. and their families and a host of friends.
A visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 1, from 5-7 pm at the Loess Hills Funeral Home at 112 N. Vine Street in Glenwood, Iowa. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, Nov. 2 at 11:00 am, also at the Funeral Home with lunch to follow at the Congregational Church Hall. A family burial service for Tony's ashes will take place at a later date in Forest City, Iowa. Part of his ashes will be scattered at Big Sugar Bush Lake in Minnesota and part on Walton Heath Golf Course in England by his brother and sister and their families.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the following:
Equine Excellence Fund, College of Veterinary Medicine, ISU, Ames, Iowa 50011 ; Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, 505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 444, Des Moines, Iowa 50309; or the Glenwood Public Library, 109 N. Vine St., Glenwood, Iowa.
Tributes
"Tony: It was many years ago late '60's - early 70s -beer parties, camp fires, British songs with British and American accents and horrible singing harmonies with friends of the Iowa State Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Great memories"
"Tony was a good man, and a good coach. My sincerest condolenses. He will be missed"
"Sally, From all your Sugarbush neighbors and friends: We wish to add our sympathies and prayerful thoughts to you and your family at this time of sadness. Justine and John Boots"
"Sally, I was going through the newspapers after being gone for the weekend and was saddened to learn of Tony's death. I knew he had been ill but did not realize the severity of his situation. You wrote a beautiful obituary which captured the essence of a life well lived. I was pleased to learn that John and Tom have done so well. Your Dad would be so pleased that Tom is an attorney. We are so very sorry for your loss. When you are in Forest City sometime, give us a call. We would love to meet for a glass of wine and/or dinner. Ray and Joan Beebe"
"Sally, words cannot express how sorry we are to hear of Tony's passing. We feel very blessed to have experienced his friendship in our lives...he was such a great guy and faithful friend. Had we read the paper in time we would have been there Friday and Saturday in his honor. Thinking of you...will keep in touch. Love and prayers, "
"Sally I know you have been through a lengthy illness, and wish you the best, and I am extending my condolences to you and your family. Regards "
"Sally Just learned of Tony' s passing. My wife and I extend our sincerest condolences to you and your family-- we will keep you in our prayers."
"Hi Sally. My condolences to you and your family. Tony was a great guy. I enjoyed working for both of you. I have to tell you a story that you may or may not remember. The first time I baled hay at Jim Smith's property I made about half a round with the hay conditioner. Something in my gut told me something was wrong. I went to Jim's house and called Tony and asked where the hay field was. He told me. I had mowed the oat field. I felt terrible. Tony never showed a bit of annoyance or anger at me. He is the type of guy that if you met him you will never forget him. A true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with you. "
"Sally, I saw how you have loved this good man! I am glad I got to meet him! My deepest sympathies to you and your family...."
"Sally, I was so sorry to hear of Tony's passing. He was a great part of my veterinary experience at ISU as a student with those wild rides in the ambulatory department vehicle. That great British accent was unforgettable. He will be sorely missed. He will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers. "
"We were blessed in Iowa to have had Tony for so long. He helped us get started producing horses for Fox Hunting and Hunter/Jumpers with Mr. President. His help in the clinic was always sincere. Sympathy to the family."
"Sally, I did not know your husband, but I think I know how close the two of you were and I still recall the day I learned you were leaving the university to spend time with him. That kind of love is truly on a level some will never understand. My heart goes out to you and while there are no words that could be enough, please know I think of you often and in a sense share a loss too great to articulate. My thoughts and my prayers are with you."
"Some of the best times I have ever had were with Sally and Tony at the vet clinic and quarter horse farm. Please have a gin and tonic and peanuts for me. Miss you so much. I am sooo sorry. A Great man."
"Sally, Although it's been many years since I had any contact with you or Tony, the memories are still prevalent in my mind.because of your skills and personalities. My condolences yo you and your families. Dave Noel Indianola, IA"
"Sally, I am sorry to hear about Tony. I first met Tony when I served on the IVMA Animal Welfare Committee and he was chairman. I enjoyed working with him then and again later in more recent times when he asked me to fill in for him at Bluffs Run. Of course, that eventually led to my taking over the Bluffs Run position full time when Tony retired. I truly feel honored to have known Tony. He was a special man!"
"Sally, Many years ago you both allowed me to office manage your Cumming practice. Tony was a gentleman, kind, true and honest to all humans and animals. His gentle and innate ability to love and treat horses was astounding.ill never forget his accepting of an old farmer's $5 a month payment on his extraordinary bill...humble and smart on many levels. May God hold you and your family warmly. "
"Sally, Tony was an unforgettable part of my equine clinical experience at ISU. Many great memories. May God comfort and bless you and your sons. Dr. Jim and Rosalyn Cummings"
"Sally I am so sorry for you and the boys. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers."
"RIP Tony! Thank you for all that you did for the horse industry. I have many fond memories of our work with the Iowa Horse Industry Council and the Iowa Horse Fair. I will never forget your friendship and support."
"Tony was such a great competitor for me to play some golf with and simply chat about sports. His smile was infectious at the many Iowa State games that I saw him at.... He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and he and Sally were a great team together! "
"Sally I am so sorry :-( Tony was such a great man and it makes me feel privileged to have known him. You and your family are in our prayers. "
"RIP doctor . never a friend , never an enemy, respectful horse peoples. he loved a song called 'black mountain rag', which some might consider out of sorts for his polite but direct british manner. he chuckled when he saw me ketch-up a Horse with a 'backhand turnover'. dr. tony said ''believing is seeing!'' we had a good laugh. family condolences~ kenx newman"
"Sincere thoughts and prayers to the family. We always enjoyed visiting with Tony at the Glenwood Golf Course when we lived in Glenwood. May he RIP."