I was born October 5, 1960 in Texas City, Texas to good parents, Frank and Johnnie Pryor. "It takes a village to raise a child" aptly describes my childhood and adolescent years as friends and family in Texas City helped me become the person I would be in later life. While young, I grew & never outgrew, to love sports. I proudly played on school football, baseball and basketball teams throughout my youth (which is why my family has decided to open a scholarship fund in my memory to benefit young underprivileged athletes). After high school I continued my adventures and met more lifelong friends at Blinn Junior College. From there, I transferred to Baylor where in 1993 I received a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising. In 1987, I married Shelly Mitchell and in 1995, our lovely daughter, Kathryn Grace, was born. Although Shelly and I later divorced, my love for my daughter, Kate, never faltered. I worked in the clothing business for a number of years in Waco, continuing to make more lifelong friends. In 1994, I moved to Fort Worth and became involved in the car sales business. I had an incredible mind for detail and I filed volumes of information in my brain about my customers, associates & friends. I loved my job and I loved people. Charming, funny, and likable, I never met a stranger. As an eternal optimist, I never missed an opportunity to make others around me feel special. I loved unconditionally. My warm wide grin, my spark, spunk and energy for life will be missed greatly. In 2000, I married Karen Kennedy and through thick and thin my soul mate stayed lovingly by my side. On August 14th, 2006 I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer - a complete surprise since I had never smoked a cigarette in my life. Looking back now though, I see that the diagnosis was the opportunity of a lifetime. I accepted the challenge with determination and courage. The cancer gave me permission to concentrate on my healing and on helping others. It was a signal to slow down and smell the roses in my life, a chance to really live. With gratefulness and joy, I moved forward carrying precious lessons about life and love in my heart. In the past year, my wife and I lived life to the fullest. Maneuvering past three rounds of chemo and two weeks of radiation treatment, we traveled to Italy, to Utah three times, and to Hawaii for a cruise of the islands. Friends and family held celebration events for me in Texas City and in Waco and my best friend, Gary, threw me the best birthday bash that I have ever received. Although there were a few bumps in the road, I couldn't have asked for a more satisfying life. Surrounded at home by love & family, I returned to my Heavenly Father's embrace on August 27, 2007. Survivors include eternal sweetie, Karen Pryor, daughter, Kathryn Grace Pryor, Step-daughters, Kristen, Andrea and Hayley Kennedy, Godly parents, Frank and Johnnie Pryor, beloved sister, Phyllis Bludworth & husband Charles, nieces, Amanda and Emily, loving older brother Dan Pryor & wife Nancy, nephew Tyler, and my best friend, Gary Marwitz.
Visitation: At the family home, thursday 6-8 p.m.
Funeral: Friday, 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Stake Center, 4401 E Loop 820 N, North Richland Hills.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held Saturday, September 8, at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Texas City, 1400 Ninth Ave. N., Texas City.
Contributions can be made to "The Bob Pryor Young Athletes Opportunity Scholarship Fund" at Liberty Bank, 5801 Davis Blvd. North Richland Hills, TX 76180.
