The Hadwen Family of Lancashire

Clyde Prichett was born to Grace and William on January 1, 1921 in Denver, Colorado. His family including 2 sisters, Mildred and Muriel lived at 29th and Downing and he attended East High School, also working as a clerk in the neighborhood grocery store and did some carpentry with his father. In 1941, he met the love of his life, Hazel Millsapps at a school dance at College View School. They soon were married. Dad always said, “She is so beautiful!” That same year Clyde enlisted in the Army. He and Hazel were then stationed in Abilene, Texas,-Ayer, Massachusetts, Hoboken, New Jersey, Kansas City, Kansas, and Detroit, Michigan before retiring in 1961. While in the U.S. Army he served in France, Italy and was supply sargent for the Third Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment (Thunderbirds), 45th Division, serving under Lieutenant Colonel Felix Sparks (who later became General Sparks/Colorado Supreme Court Justice Sparks). Upon my visit with General Sparks this week, I was told “Clyde was my supply sergeant. He was a good man, a good friend and I will miss him”. Clyde and Felix kept in contact often until Clyde’s passing. Clyde participated in the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, arriving the second day of the liberation April 30, 1945. Dad told me recently how hard it was , coming home after the war and realizing how little Americans knew of the horrors of the concentration camps, war, destruction and death everywhere—people starving and freezing to death. Soldiers living in trenches were always hungry and never warm enough, having very little communication with loved ones back home. He said he heard the rounds (over top of his head) that killed his close friend, Eugene Frey. Another lifelong friend, Jim (Duke) Martin passed away 3 years ago. On April 29, 2003, Dad participated in an anniversary commemoration of the Liberation of Dachau Held at the Congregational Hebrew Educational Alliance in Denver. Concentration camp survivors were paired up with liberators to “never forget”. Dad was a humble man, but proud to be part of this program and to serve his country. After retiring from the military at age 40, Dad returned with Mom to their native Denver, bought a lot in Aspen Park in Conifer, Colorado. Hazel’s father, Virgel Millsapps built a 3 room cinderblock house that the family of 6 moved into. One daughter Marie, was already married and on her own. Clyde was hired at the Jefferson Count Sheriffs Department as a dispatcher worked 30 years, moving up in rank to division Major by his retirement at age 70. He was in uniform for 50 years, serving his country and community. He continued to serve after retiring. On mornings during or after a snowstorm, he would be on his tractor, plowing the snow from all the neighbors driveways whether they wanted it or not. He often would be helping friends take trees down, cutting , splitting wood, and stacking it. He loved having coffee with his friends and returning to the Jeffco Sheriffs Office for lunch with fellow deputies including his son, James Prichett at the cafeteria which has been appropriately named “Clyde’s Café”. He was active in the Retired Peace Officers organization. My Dad was a sensitive emotional person. He was strong when he needed to be but would often get teary eyed when speaking of family and (subjects) of the heart. Dad always loved his family and friend and was never afraid to say it. He’d say, “Your Daddy (or PaPa) loves you bunches”, and those of us who love him never tired of hearing it. We just gave it right back! He was always a hugger and kisser. He loved his comfortable jeans and warm flannel shirts and wore them until they were worn out---then he’d wear them some more. He was a frugal man, loved black licorice , black olives, and food in general. Always had a pocketful of candy for whoever needed it. One of his favorite pastimes was talking on the phone with friends and family. I treasure the evening phone calls to ask what I did today---I will miss them terribly. Dad was the best jitterbug-ger I’ve ever known. In the spring of 2002, Dad was able to travel with his daughters, Hannah and Ellen, to Ambleside and Scales, 2 small towns in the Lake District of England. His parents had immigrated from that area to Denver before he was born. He had lived there for a short time at age 5, had returned briefly in 1945 while in Europe during WW2. He was anxious to visit cousins he’d met before and some he’d never met. He walked trails he remembered from his youth, saw where his parents were raised, lived and where some family is buried. This trip was definitely a highlight of his final years. He came home with some wonderful memories and many new friends. Dad had friends WHEREVER he went. If not, he found some new ones. Dad kept his wonderful sense of humor until the end. He had very little hair as far back as I can remember. Baldness was the source of much razzing that Dad obviously enjoyed. He always wore a baseball cap. About 2 weeks before his death, Dad saw a young woman with bright pink hair. He stopped her and said “I used to do that with my hair”, took off his hat and said,”and look what happened!” The woman giggled and went on. This was typical of Dad, he could make people laugh and he had a constant smile. Dad had several hospitalizations including two heart bypass surgeries over the last few years. He always did his best to get back to normal. In May, 2003, major gallbladder surgery caused a very difficult recovery. Dad was 83 years and 10 months when he left us. Dad was a unique man. There will never be another Dad, Papa, Uncle, or friend like him. How fortunate his family and friends are to have shared his life and love! We will truly miss him from now on.