In Memoriam: Horace Pryor

Horace Nelson Pryor, husband of the late Helen K. Pryor, passed into eternal glory on Friday, October 19, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his two children, Scott (LaDonna) Pryor of Suffolk, Virginia, and Lea (Tim) Craley of Radnor and six grandchildren, Jeremy Pryor, Rachel Pryor, and Lisa (Pryor) Arcari, as well as Katie, Sarah, and Meghan Craley.

Horace was born on January 26, 1923 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of Leslie H. and Mabel (Walker) Pryor. With his two older sisters, Horace spent his early childhood in Bryn Mawr. In 1932 he moved with his father and step-mother Gertrude (Venables) Pryor to Weadley Road in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County. He attended Strafford School and Tredyffrin-Easttown High School in Berwyn and was an active member of Paoli Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America.

 

Anticipating America’s entry into the Second World War, Horace enlisted in the United States Navy in early 1940 and was trained as a radioman in Pensacola, Florida. He served in Curtiss-Wright scout-observation planes in the South Pacific during the war and ended his service in Florida at the Banana River Naval Air Station in January 1946.

Horace married Helen Knepper on June 1, 1946 at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Devon. They spent the next 60 years in Tredyffrin Township before moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2006. Helen passed away in 2007 and Horace returned to Pennsylvania in 2010. He spent the final weeks of his life at Arden Courts in King of Prussia where he received excellent care by the staff with the assistance of hospice-care provider Care Alternatives.

Horace typified what has been called “the Greatest Generation.” He lived through the Great Depression, fought against the Axis Powers during World War II, and was an active participant in creating America’s post-war prosperity. He built homes as a carpenter and with Helen purchased a paint and wallpaper store in Wayne where they successfully operated the Horace N. Pryor Co. for over 20 years. As chairman of various building committees, Horace oversaw the construction of the Masonic Lodge (now the Wayne Art Center) and Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church (now For Kids’ Sake Learning Center) in King of Prussia. Horace and Helen retired in 1987 and spent the next years of their lives visiting family, spending winters in Bradenton and Cortez, Florida, and investing themselves in the lives of their grandchildren.

Horace was an excellent woodworker who built several grandmother clocks and carved many ducks and birds. He also loved to walk in the beauty of God’s creation, especially with his favorite four-legged companions, Dixie and Charlie.

Service to God and others characterized his life. Horace served as a church elder and over the years was actively involved in the ministries of several Presbyterian churches. Horace never neglected an opportunity to lend a hand to help family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers who needed something repaired. His faith in the accomplished work of Christ was the source of his vision for service and comfort for his eternal destiny.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 25 at 11:00 at Proclamation Presbyterian Church, 278 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Donations in Horace’s memory can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Rd., Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004.