Mr. John Alfred "Babe" Pryor

John Alfred “Babe” Pryor of Mobile, AL, passed away on Sept. 5, 2022, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was born Nov. 9, 1942, in Kokomo, IN, and is preceded in death by his parents, James and Hannah Pryor, and sister, Karen Pryor Mayhill. "Babe," as he was known in his hometown, graduated from Kokomo High School in 1961. He was a gifted athlete who played multiple sports, but he is remembered most for helping the “Wildkats” win the state basketball championship his senior year. He went on to play basketball at the University of Michigan before transferring to Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID, where he held numerous records on the basketball and golf teams. An avid golfer after college, he shot a 62 in 1989 to break the record at his home course, the Country Club of Mobile, a record that stood for 22 years. He completed his business degree from NNU in 1968 and played basketball with Athletes in Action before marrying the love of his life, Carla Rae Nutting, in 1969. His career in the restaurant and hospitality industry began with Oscar Mayer, which moved him from Oregon to California, New York and Florida. In 1981 Morrison’s, Inc., recruited him to Mobile, AL, where he settled with his family. He was a lifelong learner who earned a graduate certificate in gerontology and a master's degree in education from the University of South Alabama. Throughout his career he served as president of several companies, including Pryor and Associates, Valley Innovative Services, HMI, Inc., Cousins Restaurant Systems, American Laser and AL-FLA Plastics. He was a Principal of Qorval and Bridge Associates and served on advisory boards for the Restaurant Leadership Conference, the Foodservice Symposium, Mobile Alzheimer's Society, Mobile Cancer Society, Hinds Community College and Mobile First Church of the Nazarene. While his God-given talent and work ethic allowed him success in many areas of life, he was first and foremost a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Carla Nutting Pryor; his children, Stacie Street, Stephanie (Craig Anderton), Shellie (Lance Covan) and Jonathon Pryor (Bre); his grandchildren, Brent and Jarryd Cooley, Zachary, Madison and Tyler Street, Hannah and Tommy Anderton, Pryor and Laura Grace Covan and Whitt and John David Pryor; and his great granddaughter, Piper Quinn Cooley. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. CST Friday, Sept. 16 at Christ United Methodist Church on Grelot Road. The family will receive visitors prior to the ceremony at 10 a.m. Those unable to attend the service may participate via livestream by using the following link: http://ChristUnited.Com/Pryor The family finds comfort in their grief by knowing that John "Babe" Pryor is with his Savior, Jesus Christ. They would like to thank the many friends who prayed for him and especially the staff at University Hospital for their devoted care during his last days. The family requests that memorial donations be directed to Victory Health Partners, 3750 Professional Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36609.

Mr. John Alfred "Babe" Pryor

November 9, 1942 - September 5, 2022