| Paul R. Pryor | ||
 Paul R. Pryor, 58, of Warrensburg, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2013, at the Western Missouri Medical Center. He was born Sept. 28, 1954, in Warrensburg, the son of Tipton Paul and Nadine (Steele) Pryor. On May 6, 1999, he was united in marriage to Teresa Smith in Clinton. Paul graduated from Warrensburg High School class of 1973 and attended Central Missouri State for two years. He loved studying Bible prophecy, Civil War history, researching his family genealogy and gardening. Paul was devoted to his family and loved his dog, Samson. He was a member of the Warrensburg First Baptist Church and attended the Church of the Nazarene. Paul is survived by his wife, Teresa; his son, Philip Gregor and wife, Erin, of Independence; two stepdaughters, Amy Mitchell and Reanna McMahan, both of Colorado; two stepsons, Joseph Terry and wife, Hope, of Illinois, and Benjamin Terry of Missouri; his brother, Daniel Pryor of Warrensburg; his sister, Maria Licata and husband, David, of Lee's Summit; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 13, 2013, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Warrensburg with Pastor Bob Denham officiating. Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Church of the Nazarene and can be left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg. |
First Church of the Nazarene in Warrensburg.
603 East Hale Lake Road (DD Highway)
Warrensburg, Missouri
660 747 8949
Our condolences and prayers to Paul's family and his many, many friends. Class of 1973 WHS.
Named to the Missouri Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984, Dr. James Pilkington established an outstanding reputation as a track and field coach during his 28-year tenure at Central. The professor emeritus of physical education came to Central in 1971 as head coach for track and field and cross country. He served at that post for 12 years before devoting full time to teaching as a professor of physical education. Although he is proud of his accomplishments as a teacher, his coaching career is one that is marked with many successes. He started the women’s track and field program at Central, and under his guidance Central athletes earned some 52 NCAA All-American certificates. Six of them were selected for Olympic Trials and two national track and field champions were named. He also originated the Mule track and field major meets, including the Mule Relays and Cross Country Festival. Dr. Pilkington has assisted with major track and field events across the state and nation. He served as a track starter for nearly all universities in Missouri, was a started for NCAA national championships and was a track started at Big Eight and Big 12 conference championships. Dr. Pilkington earned his bachelor’s degree at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, master’s degree at the University of Pacific, Stockton, California, and doctorate at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He and his wife, Carol, have three children, Gail, Kim and Jeff. 
