Richard S. Pryor was born in Clay County, Missouri on December 20th, 1935, to Ted R. & Ruby S. Pryor. He grew up on the family farm with his two older brothers, Ted William “Bill” & Charles F. “Bud.” Richard attended Liberty public schools and graduated as president of his class in 1953. The death of his mother during his college years profoundly changed his life’s course. After two years at William Jewell College, Richard was offered a job at a local bank, which led to his lifelong career in banking. In 1957, following the family tradition of military service, he volunteered for the Army and spent most of his service in France on an Ordnance Depot. During this time, friends started calling him Dick, a name that stuck for life. Dick returned to First National Bank in Liberty in 1959. That fall, he met Linda, a new English and speech teacher at Liberty High School. They married on July 10th, 1960. Dick pursued further education, earning an AA Degree from Longview College, a business Degree from Columbia College, and graduating from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He became a bank officer before 21 and joined the National Bank in North Kansas City in 1961. In 1969, at 33, he was offered the Presidency of the Thornton National Bank in Nevada, Missouri, where the family lived for four years. In 1973, Dick became CEO and part-owner of the Bank of Jacomo in Blue Springs, Missouri. Under his 20-year leadership, the bank and its holding company grew to two charters with six locations in five towns. Dick was actively involved in his communities. He served on city councils, chambers of commerce, school boards, and hospital boards in various cities. He was instrumental in founding St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs and establishing a junior college branch campus there. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1980 and Business Person of the Year in 1992 in Blue Springs. Dick and Linda were staunch supporters of higher education. Dick served on the board of trustees of Cottey College from 1973 to 1980, four years as chairman. He also served eight years on Truman State University’s board and seven years on Columbia College’s board of trustees. He was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by Longview College in 1991 and Columbia College in 1989. He later served on the Mesa State College Foundation Board in Grand Junction, Colorado. A dedicated Rotarian since 1973, Dick was a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow. He also served as President of the Missouri Bankers Association from 1987 to 1988 and was on the Board of Kansas Bankers Surety Corporation. In 1993, Dick and Linda sold their business interests and moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. Dick served on numerous boards, including those of the Community Hospital and Symphony Board, but his highlight was serving on the Grand Valley Power Board for 16

1 ⁄ 2

years. Dick was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and Linda were avid travelers, visiting all 50 states and 47 countries. Despite his love for Colorado, he remained a loyal MISSOURI TIGER. For seven years, Dick was a devoted caregiver to his wife Linda during her struggle with Alzheimer’s. They passed away just two weeks apart, after 64 years of marriage marked by an enduring love that grew stronger with each year. Dick is survived by his daughter, Kelley Pryor Amrein, her husband James Amrein, and their children Andrew, Shannon, and Jonathon Amrein, and his son, Richard Alexander Pryor. A memorial service will be held for Dick and Linda from 2 pm to 3 pm on September 16, 2024, at The Manor Village, Phoenix, Arizona. An interment ceremony will be held for them at 11 am on October 18, 2024, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Missouri. A reception will follow. In remembrance of Dick’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, Arizona or Cause 4 Paws Pet Food Bank, Scottsdale, Arizona. Arrangements are being handled by Messigner Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, Scottsdale, Arizona.