United States High School Yearbooks by County
Helen Hauge
2/10/2001
Helen Hauge, a member of the Gem and Mineral Club in Paradise, was known as “quite the rock hound.”
Mrs. Hauge, a resident of Paradise, died Tuesday in Paradise at age 87.
She was born in South Dakota to Nels and Jennie Erickson.
Her husband, Hogan Hauge, died in 1999.
Her survivors include two nephews.
A graveside funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico.
Brusie Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Elsie Simpson
2/10/2001
Elsie Grace Simpson worked 65 years as a registered nurse. She graduated from St. Helena Sanitarium.
Mrs. Simpson, 89, died Thursday at her home in Magalia.
She was born in Pullman, Wash., to Harvey and Grace Grange. On Dec. 16, 1943, in Fullerton she married Wilbur Simpson.
She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Besides her husband, Wilbur, she is survived by a son, Malcolm of Fresno; a daughter, Megan; and a brother, Jack Grange of Paradise.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday at the Paradise Chapel of the Pines, which is handling the arrangements. Monday afternoon, she will be privately entombed at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward.
Al Knappenberger
2/13/2001
Albert “Knappy” Augustus Knappenberger Jr., who used to whistle while he worked, was known as Captain Al, the fireman’s pal, at Torrance Fire Department, where he worked from 1956 to 1994.
Mr. Knappenberger died Friday in his Paradise home. He was 67.
He was born to Amy and Albert Knappenberger Sr. in a log cabin in Apollo, Pa.
The family moved to Torrance in 1937. He graduated from Torrance High School in 1951. He was in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, serving in Okinawa at the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged as a corporal.
He attended El Camino College and two years of fire science training. Before and after his military service, he worked at Columbia Steel Mill in Torrance.
On May 27, 1967, he married Jo Ann Shields Dennis in Hawthorne. After retiring as a fire captain from the Torrance Fire Department, Mr. Knappenberger worked part time in pool maintenance and truck driving. From 1995 to 2000, he worked as a day manager at Mulligan’s Golf Driving Range.
Early in his life, he enjoyed ballroom dancing, bowling and baseball. In midlife, he liked cribbage, croquette and youth group sports. Most recently, he pursued golf, computer games and video recording/editing.
Camping in the redwoods and along the California coast was his favorite way to travel, and he visited Europe and around the United States.
He especially enjoyed eating pralines and cream-flavored ice cream.
Mr. Knappenberger was a member of Firefighters Local No. 1138, the Church of Religious Science and the Southern California Golf Association. He was a parent volunteer at Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire Girls.
Besides his wife, Jo Ann, and his mother, Amy of Paradise, Mr. Knappenberger is survived by a son, Kirk of Salinas; two daughters, Beth Knappenberger of Paradise and Doralyn Knappenberger of Redway; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Paradise Chapel of the Pines. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Save-the-Redwoods League, 114 Sansome St., San Francisco, 94104 or to Paradise Hospice.
Mr. Knappenberger’s ashes will be privately scattered.
Wilmer Carter
2/15/2001
Wilmer H. Carter, also known as Buster, was a football and basketball star in high school, and in 1935, he trained as a professional boxer. He worked primarily as a salesman in the Northwest. Mr. Carter enjoyed fishing, hunting, metal detecting, outdoor photography, hiking, gold mining, cooking and traveling in his camper. He and his wife, Jean, were often seen in their jeep traveling around the high lakes, Paradise and Magalia.
Mr. Carter died Feb. 8 at age 83.
He was born to Wilmer and Charlotte Carter in Hornbrook. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the California Guides Association.
Mr. Carter is survived by a daughter, Shelly Carter-Hartsfield, of Albuquerque, N.M.; a son, Craig of Paradise; two grandsons; and a cousin.
No services are planned. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. He will be privately inurned. Memorial contributions may be made to Butte Humane Society in Chico.
Rosario La Porte
2/15/2001
Rosario Michael La-Porte, a kit-chen worker at Huntington Memorial Hospital for 35 years, died Friday in his Magalia home. He was 69.
In Robertsdale, Pa., he was born to Michael and Carmela LaPorte.
Mr. LaPorte is survived by five sisters, Mary Warwick of Ventura, Florence Havens of San Dimas, Sally McDuff of Oxnard, Marion Ronchetti of Duarte and Dee Farina of Magalia; and two brothers, Joseph of Mission Hills and Eugene of Anaheim; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be held tomorrow at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Pasadena. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. He will be interred at Calvary Mausoleum in Pasadena.
Madelyn Sauder
2/15/2001
Madelyn Jean Sauder enjoyed playing golf, painting, camping, fishing, playing cards and traveling.
Mrs. Sauder, 79, died Sunday in her Paradise home.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Daniel and Hildred Miller, she was raised in Des Moines, Iowa.
In 1937, she married Everett Sauder in Long Beach. He died in 1988.
Mrs. Sauder was a member of Paradise First Christian Church and PEO.
Surviving her are two daughters, Gayle Rogers of Henderson, Nev. And Karen Judson of Glendale; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Her son, Dennis, died in 1966.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Paradise First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Enloe Hospice or the Paradise First Christian Church in care of Bidwell Chapel, which is handling the arrangements.
Estella Carbajal
2/15/2001
Estella A. Carbajal loved gardening and birds, especially canaries.
Mrs. Carbajal died Feb. 5 in her Magalia home, where she moved to a year ago from San Antonio, Texas. She was 93.
Mrs. Carbajal was born in Camargo Chi, Mexico, to Manuel and Guadalupe Aguilar.
Her survivors include four daughters, Guadalupe Padilla of Lakewood, Martha Oviedo of Eagle Pass, Texas, Graciela Barro of Mexico and Josefina Coronado of San Antonio, Texas; 25 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Pedro Carbajal, in 1985; two sons, Raul and Carlos; twin sisters, Clotilde and Mitilde and sister, Elena Valle; and a brother, Ramiro Aguilar.
A private family service was held Tuesday at Rose Chapel Mortuary. She will be interred in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Anna Renz
2/15/2001
Anna I. Renz loved cats. She also enjoyed sewing and gardening. She was a member of Paradise Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dorcas Society and the Edelweiss German-American Club of Paradise.
Mrs. Renz died Feb. 8, the day before her 99th birthday, in her Paradise home. She moved from Cleveland, Ohio, 34 years ago.She was born to Fritz and Anna Will in Hamburg, Germany.
Surving her are two nephews and a niece. Her service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Rose Chapel Mortuary. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday at Rose Chapel. She will be interred in Paradise Cemetery.
John Johnson
2/15/2001
John Russell Johnson, a Paradise resident for 35 years, loved woodworking and fishing. For 45 years, he was a welder at Dale Clark, Terminal Island shipyards, McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, Southern Pacific in Oroville and Victor Industries in Chico.
Mr. Johnson died Friday in his home. He was 77.
His survivors include a son, Terry of Aspen, Colo.; a daughter, Sandra Johnson of Orland; two sisters, Shirley Dunkel of Paradise and Renie Moss of Canada; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Two wives died before him.
At his request, no services are planned at this time. Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Ridge Hospice.
Dolores Wheeler
2/15/2001
Dolores J. Wheeler retired after 25 years as a licensed vocational nurse at Butte County Hospice. She was a member of Paradise Seventh-day Adventist Church. She enjoyed cooking and crocheting.
Mrs. Wheeler, 81, died Feb. 8 at Cypress Acres in Paradise.
She was born to Raymond and Emily Willett in Greenfield, Ind.
Her husband, Harold Wheeler, died in 1986. Also preceding in her death were a son, Dennis, and a sister, Lyvern Hutchison. She is survived by a stepbrother, Charles Hutchison of Paradise.
At her request, no services will be held. Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements. She will be privately inurned.
Lynn Howard
2/15/2001
Lynn Howard worked as a driver and salesman for Granny Goose for 25 years. After retiring in 1984, he enjoyed traveling and playing all kinds of card games. He was a member of Paradise Lutheran Church, Table Mountain Masonic Lodge No. 124, Free and Accepted Masons, HI-12 No. 275 and the Senior Citizens Association.
Mr. Howard died Friday at Paradise Health Care. He was 77.
In Antioch, he was born to Pern and Ida Howard. From 1943 to 1945, he served in the U.S. Army.
On Sept. 5, 1943, he married Virginia Vogt, who survives him, along with a son, Randy of Selma; three daughters, Peggy Jones of Castro Valley, Gail Hanlon of Castro Valley and Penny Johnson of North St. Paul, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. at Paradise Lutheran Church. He will be interred at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. The arrangements are being handled by Rose Chapel Mortuary.
In his memory, contributions may be made to Paradise Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
Kathryn Pummill
2/15/2001
Kathryin Pummill, 84, who died Feb. 3, is having her service rescheduled to 11 a.m. Saturday at Magalia Community Church. She will be interred at Rose Hills in Whittier. Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Janet Brooner
2/15/2001
Janet Morgan Brooner worked as a nurses aide at Cypress Acres for 25 years. For the last 15 years, she has been an advocate for the developmentally disabled, working in their homes.
Mrs. Brooner died Wednesday in Reno, Nev., of a cancer-related illness.
The Paradise resident was 74. She moved to the Ridge 50 years ago.
She was born in MIchigan to Cloyce and Rosemarie Mullreed.
Mrs. Brooner was the president of the Paradise Sierra Riders.
She enjoyed deer hunting and was an active member of the National Rifle Association.
In 1978, she married Russell Brooner, who survives her, as do five daughters, Dixie Jessen, Roxanne Franklin, Molly Morgan, Kim Ellis and Windi Webster; a sister, Orel Hawkins; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
No services will be held. She will be interred at Paradise Cemetery.
Tonya Niblett-Craft
2/17/2001
Tonya Marie Niblett-Craft, born and raised in Paradise, died of natural causes Wednesday in her San Diego home. She was 29.
A homemaker and mother, she is remembered as a friend always willing to help.
Her husband, Michael Craft, is a naval officer at North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego.
He survives her, as do her parents, Jess and Dee Niblett of Paradise; two sons, Brandan and Joshua; a daughter, Aubrianna; a sister, Tessa Niblett of Paradise; a grandmother, Pauline Niblett of Paradise; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Her brother, Jay Niblett, died before her.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Rose Chapel Mortuary.
Gwendolyn Bruce
2/17/2001
Gwendolyn Bruce enjoyed art, cooking, sewing, reading and singing. Mrs. Bruce died Feb. 9 in Magalia, where she had lived for 15 years. She was 62.
She was born to Clovis and Ruby Younger in Levelland, Texas.
Surviving her are a daughter, Janice Francis of Arkansas; a son, Raymond Beckham of Magalia; two brothers, James Younger of Paradise and Jimmy Younger of Manteca; a sister, Gloria Pullin of Redding; and eight grandchildren.
A funeral service was held yesterday at Resurrection Power Ministries.
Rose Chapel Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Charles Pugh
2/17/2001
Boats were a focus of Charles “Bob” Pugh’s life. He was a maintenance and construction supervisor for 25 years at the Los Angeles Harbor Department, and he worked 40 years in the boat-building industry.
He served in a Navy apprenticeship program for boat building at Long Beach. Besides building boats for fun, he enjoyed water skiing, camping, traveling and square dancing.
Mr. Pugh, 72, died Thursday at Twin Oaks in Chico. He moved to Paradise from Norwalk in 1984.
He was born to Samuel and Elizabeth Pugh in Los Angeles. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean War.
He graduated from Cerritos College with an associate’s degree and earned a degree from Long Beach Community College.
He attended the Pentecostal Church of God in Paradise and the Chico Square Dance Club.
On Dec. 17, 1948, he married Lora, who survives him. A daughter, Christine Serna of Paradise, and two granddaughters in Magalia also survive Mr. Pugh.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Rose Chapel Mortuary. Rev. David L. Russell will officiate.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon today at the chapel.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chico or Paradise Hospice.
Neta Van Opstal
2/17/2001
Neta Van Opstal died Wednesday at her Stirling City home. She was 82.
Tuscon, Ariz., was her birthplace. She married George Van Opstal in Reno, Nev., on May 10, 1958.
He survives her, as do two sons, Ronald Holly of Fresno and Arthur Mullikin of New Mexico; a stepdaughter, Bonnie Smith; two brothers, Ed and Henry; two sisters, Tina Rogers of Fresno and Luella Sprowls of Fresno; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the First Assembly of God Church in Stirling City. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Paradise Chapel of the Pines. She will be buried
in Stirling City Cemetery.
John Allen
2/20/2001
John H. Allen eloped with his bride-to-be, Phyllis, and drove through a snowstorm to marry her in Nevada. On a cold Sept. 26, 1948, they were married in a small chapel by a man wearing a stocking cap. The man’s wife played the organ during the ceremony.
Mr. Allen, a retired Oakland police officer, died Jan. 20 at Baylor Medical Center in Texas, where he was visiting with family. A Paradise resident since 1982, Mr. Allen was 76.
He was born to John Allen and Adelaide Byerline in Salt Lake City. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
Mr. Allen enjoyed being active in the Oakland Masonic Lodge No. 403. He then affiliated to the Table Mountain Masonic Lodge No. 124 F&AM in Paradise. In 1952, he became a Master Mason. He put in almost 50 years at the Masonic Lodge.
He was also active in Eastern Star, Amaranth, Shriners – Ben Ali, Royal Arch, Counsel, Commandery of York Rites and High 12.
Mr. Allen also fly-fished.
Surviving him are a son, Mark of Paradise; a daughter, Pamela Shouse of Texas; a brother, Robert of Morgan Hill; a sister, Joyce Jasper of Redding; and five grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. today at the Table Mountain Masonic Lodge No. 124. Family and friends are handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Allen’s name may be given to the Shriners Children Hospital in Sacramento.
June Gervasi
2/20/2001
June Lucille Gervasi was a CB enthusiast during the 1970s, going by the handle “Gemini.” She loved gardening, cooking and her pets.
Mrs. Gervasi, 71, died Friday in Chico. She had lived in Paradise for 25 years.
She was born in San Francisco to Joseph and Diva Massagli.
In 1946, she married John Wood, who died in 1968. She married Joseph Gervasi in 1971. He died in 1985.
Mrs. Gervasi, who loved entertaining, always filled her home with good food, fun and laughter.
Besides her mother, Diva of Redwood City, she is survived by two daughters, Sharon Ward of Paradise and Jessica Wood of Chico; three sisters, Gloria Saufley of Newark, Dolores Hart of Concord and Karen Elmore of Redwood City; two grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Sunday at St. Pius Catholic Church in Redwood City. She will be buried
at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Butte Humane Society and the American Red Cross. Neptune Society of Chico is handling the arrangements.
Paul Slyh
2/20/2001
Paul H. Slyh worked 41 years for Lockheed Aircraft Corp. and for Rexnord of Chico as a mechanical engineer. He received his master’s degree from Ohio State. For fun, he loved working in his shop.
Mr. Slyh died Wednesday in Chico at age 84. He lived in Paradise.
He was born in Columbus, Ohio. From 1945 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Army.
His first wife, Dorothy Earles, preceded him in death after 38 years of marriage.
He attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bille Road Ward.
His wife, Patsy, survives him, as do two sons, Paul Jr. of Washington and John of Omaha, Neb.; a daughter, Doralee Weintraub of Fremont; six stepchildren, Mary Kaprin of Reno, Nev., Chris Young of Paradise, Joe Young of Paradise, Sue Mawer of Paradise, Renee Young of Yuba City and Nancy of Chicago; five grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. today at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements. He will be interred at Paradise Cemetery.
Irene Freeman
2/20/2001
Irene Freeman was executive deputy secretary for 11 years at the Glenn County Sheriff’s Department. Her parakeet, “Perky,” was a loving companion. She enjoyed outings, especially out of doors in nature. She visited friends and was a great cook. She also enjoyed ice skating.
Mrs. Freeman, 82, died Friday at Enloe Hospital. She lived in Paradise for 23 years.
She was born to William and Irene Sinclair in San Miguel.
She married Jesse Freeman in San Luis Obispo on June 17, 1939. He died in October 1994.
Her survivors include three sons, Gary of Orland, David of Rescue and Eugene of Great Falls, Mont.; a daughter, Patty Bacus of Chico; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Two grandchildren died before her.
A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at Rose Chapel Mortuary. She will be interred at Paradise Cemetery.
Alice Lawson
2/20/2001
Alice M. Lawson loved crocheting and making quilts. She often traveled to Washington to visit two children she raised.
In San Jose, Mrs. Lawson was a cannery worker at a fruit packing house.
Mrs. Lawson died Feb. 7 in Paradise, where she lived after moving from Oroville. She was 77.
In Hood River, Ore., she was born to Lewis and Lena Wilks.
She raised two children, Larry Cretsinger of Washington and Donna Cretsinger of La Grand, Ore. They survive her, as do three brothers, Dale, Robert and Ray Wilks of Paradise; one sister, Emma Cretsinger of Oroville; and numerous nephews and nieces.
No services will be held. Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements.
Deborah De Jesus
2/20/2001
Deborah Ann De Jesus was a devoted Christian and an excellent cook. The former Fremont resident moved to Paradise 13 years ago.
Mrs. De Jesus died Feb. 8 in her home. She was 53.
She was born to John and Norma Wood in Berkeley and raised in a military family. She had lived in Honolulu and in Boise, Idaho.
Mrs. De Jesus was a widow. Her parents, John and Norma Wood of Nampa, Idaho, survive her, as do two daughters, Kristen Collins and Vanessa De Jesus; a son, Adam De Jesus; and two granddaughters.
No services are planned. She will be cremated at Paradise Chapel of the Pines, and her remains will be scattered at sea off the coast of San Francisco.
Benjam Remy
2/22/2001
When he was young, Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Remy lived in a two-story log house on the corner of Bille and Clark roads. His family built the house out of felled Paradise pine trees.
Mr. Remy, 85, died Friday at a local hospital.
He was born to Joseph and Olive Remy in Fort Smith, Ark. He worked as a miller for General Mills. An avid fisherman, he spent many years fishing on the Salton Sea. He also enjoyed golfing and bowling.
He is survived by a sister, Mary Mann of Anderson, and many nieces and nephews, whom he thought of as his own children.
Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. tomorrow at Paradise Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of choice in care of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home in Chico, which is handling the arrangements.
Sonny Oliver
2/22/2001
Sonny “Born to Boogie” Oliver loved to dance. He took great pleasure in being able to “out-boogie” even the youngest dancers.
Mr. Oliver died Saturday with family at his side. He was 64.
He was born in Tucumcari, N.M., to David and Faye Oliver.
At a young age, he married and started a family in Southern California. But he began to yearn for mountain living and believed Paradise would be an ideal place to raise his four children. They moved in 1967.
Mr. Oliver owned a machine shop.
His survivors include two daughters, Kathy Wallers of the Bay Area and Renee Oliver of Paradise; and a son, Joe Oliver of Paradise; a sister, Jean Ulbrich of Littlerock; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a niece; and his life-long love, Vicki Oliver. His son, Todd Oliver, died before him.
At his own request, there will be a potluck party to give last goodbyes Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made.
Cremation and inurnment will be private.
Ethel Cleese
2/22/2001
Ethel May Cleese, an accomplished watercolorist, displayed her work at many art shows near her former Menlo Park home.
She drew great satisfaction from the numerous awards she garnered. She was a member of the Society of Western Artists, Menlo Art League, Sequoia Art Group and 30 and 1 Artists of San Mateo.
Mrs. Cleese, a Paradise resident for 12 years, died Friday at a local convalescent hospital. She was 94.
In San Francisco, she was born to David and Frieda Peters. She graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City. On June 14, 1924, she married John Cleese in Hollister. They lived in Menlo Park until he died in 1988. She enjoyed the frequent gatherings spent with family and friends at their La Honda acreage in the coastal mountains. Mrs. Cleese was also active in Eastern Star.
Besides her husband, a son, Robert, died before her. Surviving her are a son, John of Paradise; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
At her request, no services will be held.
Paradise Chapel of the Pines is handling the arrangements and cremation. Her remains will be scattered.
Frances Bodger
2/22/2001
Frances Eva Bodger, an enthusiastic gardener, test-grew roses in her garden for Jackson & Perkins Co. Being the wife of a wholesale seed grower, she entertained seed people from around the world.
Mrs. Bodger, a resident of Paradise since 1993, died Monday at Cypress Acres. She was 90.
She was born to Howard and Maybelle Rankin in McCook, Neb. Because of her father’s work in the oil industry, they moved frequently in her early years. She lived in Wyoming and Colorado before moving to California. In 1928, she graduated from San Bernardino High School.
She moved to Lompoc in 1929 and met Louis Morehart, whom she married on Jan. 30, 1930. After his death three years later, she married Charles Bodger on Nov. 11, 1935. He died on Nov. 18, 1964.
Mrs. Bodger was a good cook, an avid reader and a crossword puzzle fan. She also was active in several organizations, including a sewing club that made blankets for a hospital during the World War II. She also was involved in the hospital auxiliary and PTA. She moved to Paradise to live with family.
Surviving her are two daughters, Beverly Preece and Bonnie Fugh; two sons, Howard Morehart and Michael Bodger; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by two sisters, Violet and Alice Howtrey; and a brother, Lawrence Rankin.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Lompoc.
Lowell Pryor
2/22/2001
Lowell Dean Pryor owned and operated Antique Designs, an antique store and furniture restoration business in Diamond Springs.
Mr. Pryor died from cancer Saturday at age 55.
He was born to Henry and Susan Pryor in Texas. The family moved to California in 1946 and lived in Willows until 1955. Then he moved to the Marysville/Yuba City area. He graduated from Yuba City High in 1964 and attended Yuba College until he joined the Air Force in 1968.
After his discharge in 1972, he attended California State University, Sacramento, for two years. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interior design.
He moved to Paradise after his father’s death in 1997.
He attended the Paradise Ridge Southern Baptist Church. He was the church’s landscaper and house and groundskeeper. He also sang in the choir and was the chef for church banquets.
His survivors remember his sense of humor and his love of nature.
Besides his mother, Susan of Paradise, Mr. Pryor is survived by three brothers, Eldon of Yuba City, Zane of Henderson, Nev., and Darrell of Boron; a sister, June Chance of Sacramento; six nephews; two grand-nephews; and two grandnieces.
A service for Mr. Pryor will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Paradise Ridge Southern Baptist Church.
