Thomas "Tom" Pryor

Thomas Lee Pryor, age 84, of Adrian, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Charlotte Stephenson Manor. Tom was born the fifth son of Fred and Treva (Miller) Pryor on April 10, 1939, in Tiffin, Ohio. His early life was spent in Tiffin and Greytown, Ohio until the death of his father in 1948 when Tom was nine. His mother moved to Adrian, Michigan to be near her mother and family. Tom married Georgina Dusseau. To this union a daughter, Teresa Lynn Pryor, was born. They later divorced and Thomas married Kathleen Daisher on August 2, 1969. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in August 2019.
Tom graduated from Adrian High School in 1957 and went on to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton, CA, and was honorably discharged as Corporal. He was employed at Ace Drill for ten years, while working there he attended Adrian College. He left Ace Drill in 1969 to attend college full time and graduated with honors in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts from Adrian College. He received his Master of Arts (English) from Eastern Michigan University in 1977. Tom started teaching at Adrian Public Schools in 1971, where he taught English and was yearbook advisor for 27 years, until his retirement in 1999. Tom was also a very skilled carpenter and woodworker, especially with finished woodworking. He took great pride in rehabbing and rebuilding his home. In addition, in his retirement he made beautiful custom rocking horses that are enjoyed by many. One of his favorite pastimes was golfing which is where he met Kathy over 50 years ago. Tom had a great love for children of all ages and as a teacher to thousands of high school students, he left a large impact on many young adult lives. Later in his life, it would be common to see him greeting and smiling at every toddler and baby that passed his path. Everyone that met Tom enjoyed his company and his sarcastic wit and humor.
Tom is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his daughters: Teresa Pryor Schatz and Julie (Jay) Brandt; a son, Steven (Doreen) Pryor; six grandchildren: Michael (Kenya) Schatz, Daniel Schatz, Taylor (Justin) Loewen, Lauren Brandt, Megan Brandt and Ryan Brandt; three great-grandchildren: Natasha Martin, Ansley and Rhett Schatz; sister, Carol Miner; brother, John (Sue) Chandler; brother-in-law Philip (Carol) Daisher; sisters-in-law: Carole Pryor, Judy Pryor, Phyllis (Chuck) Sandusky, and Lillian (Jerry) Dils; twenty-six nieces and nephews: Rick (Joanne) Pryor, Greg Pryor, Mark (Hey Yong) Pryor, Todd Pryor, Kathy Pryor, Mike Pryor, Eric (Roseanne) Pryor, Shauna (Lonnie) Gutierez Powders, Tammy (Jim) Jarosch, Jill Reynolds, Chad (Angie) Chandler, Bradley (Michelle) Chandler, John (Natasha) Chandler, Deanna (Craig) Borton, Denise (Mark) McKenzie, Dawn Daisher (Kim Johnson), Doug (Cate) Daisher, Terry (Gayle) Daisher, Dee Dee (Tim) Halliwill, Aaron (Kayla) Dils, Tanya (Mark) McCullough, Laura (Brandon) Stover, Natalie (Scott) Zuvers, Angie Sandusky, David (Erica) Sandusky; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Rooklyn and Elsa (Brandenburg) Pryor, and Vernon and Agnes Sharp; four brothers: Richard (Joanne) Pryor, Ronald (Marguerite) Pryor, Norman "Jake" Pryor, and James Pryor. Additional family members include James Miner, Robert Daisher, Roger Pryor, Joshua Pryor, Darrick Pryor, and Jason Pryor.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home with Pastor Linda Farley officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Touch of Home Adult Day Care.