Emmett Earl Pryor

Emmett Earl Pryor, age 92, died Friday May 11, 2018, at his home in Salem, Oregon.

Earl was born in Condon, Oregon July 12, 1925. His mother, Julia Jones Pryor, preceded him in death when he was three years old. He was raised by his father, Emmet Pryor, and his step-mother, Jean Law Pryor. Earl attended school in Condon, graduating from Condon High in 1943, where he was student body president and senior class president. He enlisted in the United States Navy immediately after graduation. After attending Oklahoma University, he joined the USS Merrimack as Engineering Officer.

After the war, he returned to Condon and began farming. He believed deeply in public service and advocacy for agriculture and specifically the wheat industry. He once said in a speech that “Every man worth his salt should give back to his community and industry at least 10%.” He was as good as his word.

He had served on the Gilliam County Assessors Advisory Committee, Gilliam County Board of Equalization, Gilliam County Budget Board, Gilliam County School District 25, Budget Advisory Board, Gilliam County Board of Review, Gilliam County School District 25, Track Improvement Association, chairman, Gilliam County Grain Growers, chairman; Mid-Columbia Production Credit Assoc., Oregon Highway Federation, Oregon State Extension Advisory Board, Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Project Advisory Board, Committee for Senate Bill 100/LCDC Citizen Advisory Committee, Oregonians for Food and Shelter founding member, Agriculture Political Action League founder member, Oregon Wheat League president, Agriculture Recovery Council, founder and chairman, Oregon Wheat Commission chairman, Council for Economic Development in Oregon founder and chairman, Oregon Economic Development Commission, National Association of Wheat Growers president and U.S. Commission on Agriculture Trade and Export Policy.

Earl was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Bernice ‘Peetie’ Petroff of The Dalles.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Pryor of Salem; son, Marc and Paula Pryor of Torrance, Calif.; son, Ty Pryor of Condon; grandchildren, Damon Pryor of Damascus, Brittany Pryor Lodge of Boise, Idaho, and Stephanie Moore of Maryland; and great-grandchildren, Maggie and Grant Pryor of Damascus; nieces and nephews that he was always very close to, Rod and Jean Pryor of Olympia, Wash.; Joyce and Mike Allen of Brewster, Wash.; Scott Pryor of Spokane, Wash.; Larry and Kay Lear of Condon, David and Marlene Johnson of Bend, and Julie Johnson of Florida.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Condon Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 385, Condon, Oregon 97823.

A celebration of life will be held at the Condon Elks Lodge Saturday, May 19, 12 noon for family and friends; lunch will be served.

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