Roland Moore Pryor Jr.

Roland Moore Pryor Jr., 87, of Bartlesville, Okla. died Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Jane Phillips Medical Center. Roland was born July 28, 1923 in Pottsville, Arkansas, son of Roland Moore Pryor Sr. and Faye (Rackley) Pryor. Roland grew up in the Little Rock, Arkansas area, graduating with the Little Rock High School class of 1942. Following his high school graduation, Roland furthered his education and dream at Mississippi State University. Roland's talent, as a right-handed pitcher, afforded him the privilege of attending Mississippi State on a baseball scholarship. However, as many of the greats did at that time, Roland left his dream of the baseball diamond and bright lights behind to enlist in the military and serve his country. Roland joined the U.S. Air Force in 1943 where he was initially trained as a pilot. Soon, he transferred to the U.S. Army where he served as a Rifleman for the 78th Division. Roland entered the war just after the Invasion of Normandy. He, along with his Division, deployed to Germany. During this time, Roland became injured with severe frostbite and was honorably discharged in 1945, being awarded the Combat Infantry Badge along with three Campaign stars. One of Roland's greatest memories of both the military and baseball occurred during his military service, as Roland, during Army training, pitched against the great Joe DiMaggio in the Army Baseball League. Following his service in WWII, Roland was offered a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals which he turned down. Subsequently, he pitched in a semi professional baseball league for a period of time but the injuries Roland sustained as part of his military service kept him from pursuing a career in baseball. Thus, Roland went back to school, attending Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas and attaining a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1947. Roland joined Phillips Petroleum Company in 1950 and moved to Bartlesville in 1953. It was in Bartlesville where he met the love of his life, Nancy M. Martin. Roland and Nancy were united in marriage on May 19, 1956 in Topeka, Kan. Roland was employed with Phillips Petroleum for a total of 35 years, working primarily as a Corporate Safety Director. One of the tasks assigned to Roland was Safety and Loss Prevention Coordinator on a 12 year North Sea Oil and Gas project leading a team to design the oil & gas Platforms. Roland retired from Phillips in 1985. Roland was a member of: the First Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville, where he served as a former Deacon and Trustee; the Masonic Grand Lodge of Oklahoma and Hillcrest Country Club. He was also a Certified Safety Professional and was an active member of the ASSE, Tulsa Chapter. Roland enjoyed: traveling with his wife and family, playing golf with his friends, fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Roland is survived by: his wife of 54 years, Nancy Pryor of Bartlesville; daughter, Holly Caskey and her husband Dan; son, Martin Pryor and his wife Megan; five grandchildren: John and Joe Caskey and Justin, Lauren and Mitchell Pryor; along with a host of other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Roland and Faye and brothers, David and Tommy. A memorial service to honor Roland's life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville. A private interment will be observed by the family. Services are under the direction of Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. In lieu flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 505 S.E. Dewey, Bartlesville, Okla. 74003 or to a charity of your choice.