James Edward Pryor

James Edward "Pete" Pryor, 76 of Coeur d'Alene passed into heaven July 20, 2024 at the Schneidmiller Hospice House after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Pete was born in Mobile Alabama to Edward Gavin Pryor and Doris Valeda (Roberts) Pryor. He grew up in Mobile where he attended Murphy High School. He enjoyed Boy Scouts and performing in the high school choir. On Sundays he helped his mom clean her bar then they would go for a ride through the country. side. 

Pete's Navy career began in Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois on August 12, 1965 followed by Fire Control Technician Class A School. While in the Navy he served on the USS Henry B Wilson, the USS Buchanan, and the USS Lynde McCormick, He spent time off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict. Pete received many Letters of accommodation and medals. One such letter states Senior Chief Petty Officer Pryor is an accomplished, aggressive, and versatile Senior Chief Petty Officer. He positively influenced the training proficiency level of surfpac ships with his dedication and hard work. Pete retired from the Navy on August 20, 1985. He then worked as a civilian doing technical writing. for the Navy and ran a radar jamming station off the coast of California. 

In 1995 Pete moved to Post Falls, Idaho. There he met Debra Withers on a blind date. They married in November of 1996 during the ice storm. He worked at Premera Blue Cross in Spokane, Washington before changing jobs to work at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene. Pete retired from Kootenai Health in 2012

Pete was a man of service. He was always taking Deb, her parents, or anyone who needed a ride somewhere, He always did this with a positive attitude and never expected anything in return. Pete loved Jesus. He served as a volunteer for many years at his church, hosted a Life group, and loved greeting people at the door. Pete loved music. He had a beautiful voice and knew the words to every song, loved to dance, putter in his garage, help others any chance he got, loved his afternoon nap, and never passed up a garage sale! 

Pete and Deb camped and 4 wheeled on the St Joe River every summer for the last 12 years where he became known as the guy who had whatever tool you might need. But Pete's favorite thing was family, especially grandkids. They were his joy. Pete is survived by his wife Deb of Coeur d'Alene; daughter Tina Stout of San Diego, California; son James E Pryor, JR (Cher) of Coventry, Rhode Island and bonus children Ryan (Michaela) Withers of Post Falls; Stacy (Matt) Plaisted of Meridian, ID; Jordan Withers of Coeur d'Alene, brother Robert H. Pryor of Hurley, Mississippi; 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren A memorial will be held at a later date.