Obituaries

Kenneth Paul Pryor

Photo of Kenneth Paul Pryor
Kenneth Paul Pryor, 85, passed away in Norman, Oklahoma, on August 31. He was born in Wirt, Oklahoma, on December 12, 1924, to John and Willie Pryor. Ken grew up in southwestern Oklahoma, excelling in athletics at Hastings, Claypool, Terral, and Friendship Schools, where his father was head coach of basketball and baseball. Nicknamed "Sonny Boy," the three-sport star was one of the best-known prep athletes in the state. When his father became head coach at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, Ken was his star guard and leading scorer. He also excelled at baseball and track and field. Ken graduated from Capitol Hill High School and served in the United States Navy. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he played baseball and basketball. He was starting second baseman on the OU baseball team and was selected to the All-Big 6 basketball team in 1944. Ken was a guard on Coach Bruce Drake's 1947 basketball team that defeated the University of Texas in the NCAA semifinals. Put in at the end of the game with an injured knee, he made the game-winning shot in the last seven seconds, an achievement he considered his biggest thrill in athletics. While at OU he met the love of his life Pauline "Cookie" Cook, head OU cheerleader from Norman. On their anniversary August 20, 2010, he boasted that Pauline had put up with him for 62 years and was the most patient, loving wife in the world. Following graduation from OU, Ken played AAU basketball for the Phillips 66ers for three seasons, and was a two-time AAU All American. Along with officiating football and basketball in both the Big 8 and Southwest Conferences, he competed in numerous state amateur golf tournaments, finishing second in the 1968 championships. Ken loved Sooner sports and was a member of the booster clubs for the OU basketball, baseball, wrestling, football, golf and women's softball programs. He was the first president of the OU Tip-In Club, a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He cherished the many friends and experiences connected to his participation in sports. Ken worked in finance and sales for Phillips 66 from 1949-63 and served as an agent and manager for State Farm Insurance in Bartlesville, Tulsa, and Norman. He retired to Bella Vista, Arkansas, in 1992 and treasured his retirement years and all the golf championships he and Pauline shared as an unbeatable team on the golf course. He was very proud that he had shot his age or better since he was 67 years old, along with his three holes-in-one. He recently returned to his beloved Sooner land. Ken is survived by his loving wife Pauline of Norman; their children, Jan Parks and her husband, Gary, of Park Hill, Oklahoma; Steve Pryor of Georgetown, Texas; Kay Dalke and her husband, Bill, of McKinney, Texas; and Pam Mattaliano and her husband, Carl, of Monroe, Connecticut. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many adoring cousins. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 17, at the Lloyd Noble Center (East Entry), Tip-In Club Room (OU attire very appropriate). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or the OU Foundation. Contact: Dick Pryor, 405-740-2944.

Published September 9, 2010

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