Final Salute

Jim passed away Tuesday March 26th 2024, Survived by his wife of 49 years Patricia Dale (Maupin) Pryor; children Matt Neal Pryor, Jeff Michael Pryor, and daughter Donna Renea (Pryor)Dreste; Granddaughter Angela Hope (Alex) Scott and Grandsons Gavin Dale (Pryor) Henderson, Ares Hayden Busch, Alexandre Falcon Pryor, Joseph David Dreste, Elijah Benjamin Dreste; Brother John “Max” Pryor who preceeded him in death; Sister Linda “Pete” Dinkins and Brother Fred “Tim” (Carol) Pryor; Brother in Law Wesley “Terry” (Corine) Pfeifer.
Jim was born July 5th, 1943, in Jefferson City, Missouri, the son of Fred and Lucille Pryor who both proceeded him in death. He was a lifelong resident of Tuscumbia, Missouri, in Miller County. The majority of his career was spent working in the wood production industry. He started his career at Pryor Novelty Company, a multi-generational family -owned manufacturing business of aromatic cedar wood souvenirs, in 1968, at one point as Co-Owner with his brother Tim, and finished his wood working career at Jefferson City Correctional Center retiring in 2011. In his youth he also worked at Riley Chevrolet and Lyman Woods as a Mechanic. Jim was a lifetime member of the VFW and National Rifle Association and avid advocate of the 2nd rights amendment, a patriot to core. He enlisted in the Navy June 16th, 1962, serving as a Seabee in Newfoundland, Spain, Cuba, Japan, and Vietnam, receiving a National Defense Service Metal and Vietnam Service Metal.
He enjoyed many hobbies, such as Quail Hunting with his bird dogs, getting out on the river in his boat to fish, gig, bow fish, mushroom hunt, or even search for golf balls off the shores of Osage National Golf Course. He was a fan of the local dirt track car races following some of his favorite drivers as far as Urbana. He never met a stranger in his life and enjoyed helping people before they could ask, always quick to bring his wood splitter to assist working up a fallen tree or a loan of a hunting rifle at the beginning of hunting season.
Friends will be received from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Home Osage Beach, Missouri. Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, March 29, 2024, at Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Home Osage Beach, Missouri.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to Mid-Missouri Fisher House, 800 Hospital Dr., Columbia, Missouri, 65201.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Homes, 514 Highway 42, Osage Beach, MO 65065 (573) 348-3232. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.hedgesscottmillard.com.
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