John Wiley Prugh

He was born Feb. 7, 1920, in Dayton, Ohio, and was a son of the late John Mason and Elizabeth "Bessie" Wiley Prugh.

Dr. Prugh received a bachelor's degree in math and music from Monmouth College in Illinois in 1941; a master's degree of theology from Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary in Pennsylvania in 1944; a doctorate degree in philosophy in church history from the University of Edinburg, Scotland, in 1955; a pastoral care/counseling degree from the Minninger Clinic in Topeka, Kan., in 1971; and an honorary doctorate degree from Tusculum College in 1990.

His family provided the following statement:

"Dr. Prugh and his beloved wife, Winnie, (deceased in 1990), his partner in life and in ministry, developed two new Presbyterian churches.

"In 1944, they founded College Hill United Presbyterian Church in Dayton, which they served until 1953.

"In 1959, they founded St. Andrews United Presbyterian Church (now known as Rockville United Church) in Rockville, Md., which they served until 1974.

"Dr. Prugh was the champion of many humanitarian causes. While in Rockville, he served as the first president of the Fair Housing Authority in Washington, D.C.

"He also had the privilege of marching with Martin Luther King Jr. at the event where the 'I Have A Dream' speech was delivered.

"He was the professor of Bible and the chaplain at Monmouth College from 1955 through 1959.

"He was executive presbyter for Union and Holston Presbyteries UPUSA from 1974 through 1983.

"Dr. Prugh was instrumental in the merger of PCUSA and UPUSA; he then served as interim presbyter of Holston Presbytery from 1983 to 1985 at which time he retired.

"During retirement, he remained very active as organist, choir member, teacher and pastoral care provider at First Presbyterian Church, Greeneville. He also served as interim pastor at Timber Ridge and Amity Presbyterian churches in Greene County and Liberty Presbyterian Church in Hawkins County.

"Dr. Prugh was a devoted husband, a loving father to five children, and adoring grandfather.

"A grandchild expressed his love to 'Grandpa' with these words: 'I have learned what is meant by honor, loyalty, faith and unyielding love and respect. I learned this by the way you carry yourself and conduct your life as a man of incredible faith and undying love for your family.

"In Wiley's own words, 'I would like to express my deep joy, gratitude and love for my dear family and countless friends.'

"Wiley was a truly remarkable man who positively affected all who knew him. He will be missed more than words can express."

Survivors include his children and their spouses: Richard Wiley and Alice Black Prugh of Darnestown, Md., Carolyn Louise (Prugh) and William Boone Vastine II of Houston, Texas, John Mason Prugh of Baltimore, Md., and Christine Elizabeth Prugh Dinwiddie and Janel Darlene Prugh, both of Greeneville; his grandchildren and their spouses: Renee and Todd French of Rogersville, Brian and Shellie Layton of Knoxville, Tara Prugh Evans of Walkersville, Md., Jennifer Prugh Froelich of Durham, N.C., Laura Prugh and Tony Rousmaniere of Berkeley, Calif., Scott Vastine of Houston, Texas, Allison Prugh and Ian Linthicum of Monkton, Md., Loni Dinwiddie of Nashville, and Robert Vastine of Houston; a foster granddaughter: Melissa Webb of Greeneville; his great-grandchildren: Rebecca Trinkle, Marcus French, Marissa French, and Holly French, all of Rogersville, Jessica Layton of Knoxville, and Emily Evans and Natalie Evans, both of Walkersville, Md.; and his special nieces and a special nephew: Kemp Prugh and Frannie Prugh, both of Dayton, and Marian Prugh Nichol of Columbus, Ohio.

Interment will be held at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in David's Church Memorial Cemetery in Kettering, Ohio.

A memorial service of "celebration and triumph" will be held at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville. The Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson will officiate.

Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends in the Simon Room at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Building Fund, 110 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN 37743; to Comcare, 100 Pennsylvania Ave., Greeneville, TN 37743; or to Tusculum College, Attn.: Institutional Advancement, 60 Shiloh Road, Greeneville, TN 37745.