R. Wayne Prior dies

R. Wayne Pryor, a Delaware-based owner whose horses included Peter Haughton Memorial winner CC's Chuckie T, Cam's Fortune, Breeze Hill Will, Poppy Lustre N and Gold Rocket A, died Saturday in his home in Dover. He was 75.

Mr. Pryor had a lifelong passion for attending harness races. In 1998, he purchased his first race horse, Cam's Fortune, with Chuck Crissman. He has owned hundreds of horses over the past eight years, among them, CC’s Chuckie T, winner of the $460,000 Peter Haughton Memorial in 2002.

Mr. Pryor was born Aug. 24, 1931, son of the late Alvin G. Pryor and Frances Anderson Pryor. Mr. Pryor was in the United States Coast Guard from 1951 to 1955. He served during the Korean War, first as a reserve and then on active duty on the U.S. Cutter Chincoteague.

Mr. Pryor worked for the State of Delaware, and then Willis Chevrolet until starting his own business C & P Motors with the late Fred Carey from 1960 to 1976. From 1977 until 1996 he owned and operated Pryor Auto Sales, Inc. in Smyrna, Del.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Union # 7, the Harrington Moose Lodge, American Legion David C. Harrison Post 14, Delaware Standardbred Owners’ Association, United States Trotting Association and Cloverleaf SOA.

Mr. Pryor is survived by his wife of 55 years, Thelma Attix Pryor; a son, Richard “Ricky” Wayne Pryor II (also a horse owner) of Dover; a daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Larry Williams of Newark, Del.;l and two sisters, Nancy L. Waller of Camden, and Carol Ann Towles of Smyrna.

A viewing will be held Wed., Dec. 13, at the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover, Del., from 6–8 p.m. Masonic Services will be held at 5:45 p.m.

Services will be at 12:00 noon, Thursday, Dec. 14, at the Trader Funeral Home, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be held at the Odd Fellows Cemetary, Smyrna, Del.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kent County SPCA, 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, Del. 19934 or the American Heart Association, Suite 202, 1151 Walker Road, Dover, Del. 19904.

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