Donald Duane Pryor

Donald Duane Pryor, age 90, passed away at Lion’s Center on September 24, 2026, where he was sharing a room with his partner of 63 years and wife of 49 years, Bonnie (Stewart). He was the 13th child of Joseph H. and Florence (Himmelwright) Pryor and was born on the 13th of August 1936 at the old Miners Hospital in Frostburg, MD. He was the last surviving member of his family of origin and was proceeded in death by his parents and his siblings: Clinton, Walter, George, Glenn, "Pat" (Clarence), Floyd, Marie (Clayton), Earl, John, Regina, John, an infant, and Joesph Jr. 

Donnie graduated from Beall High School in 1954, where he played the trumpet not only in the high school band but also the local Arion Band. He served in the Army Reserve 941st Explosive Ordinance Demolitions (EOD) for 12 years, mainly station at Aberdeen Proving Ground but also spent time at Fort Knox. He began working at age 12 on the Bauchman Brothers garbage truck and would proudly say that from age 12 until his retirement at 83, he never collected a day's unemployment. A machinist by trade, his working career included Sears and Roebuck, Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, UPS, and the B&O/CSX railroad where he started out in the maintenance department, rising to role of supervisor until 1975, when he achieved a childhood dream of becoming a locomotive engineer. He then rose to the supervisor position of Road Formen of Engines and finally retiring as Trainmaster in 1999, after 35 years of service with the railroad. Donnie’s goal was to have license for any type of vehicle (including a pilot's license), and after retiring from the railroad, he used his CDLs and hazmat licensure to continue working parttime including working at Martin Bros Concrete, Wilson Oil, and finally Pitt-Ohio where he worked from 2001-2019 until he officially retired at age 83. 

He loved anything with wheels and an engine and wouldn't hesitate to tell during his time at the B&O/CSX, he could "run ‘em and fix ‘em when they were wrecked." He loved cars and owned over 50 new automobiles in his lifetime, owning 14 at the time of his death ranging from a 1968 Cadillac Coupe DeVille to a 2026 Chevy Trailblazer, with most of them being his trademark color yellow (with a preference for white tops and red interiors). Donnie never met a stranger and was always willing to talk to anyone. He was a 32nd degree Master Mason and a member of the Kemp Masonic Lodge #54, in Mt. Savage and the Ali Ghan Shrine, both organizations where he had over 60 years of service. He was regular member of St. George's Episcopal Church in Mt. Savage. 

He is survived by, in addition to his wife Bonnie (Eckhart Mines), the sparkle of his eye from the time she was born in the OR , little D.D., his daughter, Dr. Diana D. Pryor (husband Michael), and a very extended family including many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He would also like mentioned his special family including Jimmy Martin, Joe Edgar and wife Roxann, Angie Mitchell, Jerry Adder, Eric Broadwater and wife Misty, Junior McKenzie and wife Pauline.

Per his last request, there will be no funeral or memorial services. In lieu of flowers, family requests that anyone wishing to do so make a donation in Donnie's name to the charity of one's choice or the Shriner's Hospital/League for Cripple Children; charity very dear to him.