John "Butch" Pryor

Butch was born in Washington, DC. April 24th 1941. He was welcomed into this world as the second child of 5 children born to Frederick Wilson Pryor and Loretta Conway. Both of which preceded him in death.

Born and raised in the District of Columbia, he attended Phelps High School and Kelly Miller Middle School where he received an award for his third love, Baseball, playing for Kelly Miller League 1959-1960. He went on to play for the Tri State Baseball League, All Star team “The Pioneers” 1963. He loved basketball, shooting Pool, watching football and playing cards, but his second love was Duckpin Bowling. Butch made history numerous times with his superb bowling skills. His most memorable achievement was written about in the article “Fouls can’t stop history” in the national newspaper. Butch rolled the first 500 duckpin set in the 30 year history of Greenway Bowling Center, the only commercial bowling center at that time located in the Washington DC city limits. Butch was unanimously inducted into the National Duckpin Bowling Conference (NDBC), Duckpin Hall of Fame on June 9th 2020.

Butch married his first love Sonya Brenda Braxton February 4th 1961. Of that union they were blessed with four children La’Jon J. Pryor, Robert F. Pryor, Sonya B. Pryor and Darrin C. Pryor. To support his growing family Butch started working for Government of the District of Columbia, General Services Division in 1958 where he did painting and drywall (some would say he majored in falling off the

scaffolding). Butch retired in 1994 after 36 years of government service.

His memory will be forever cherished by his wife: Sonya Pryor (affectionately known as “So”); four (4) children: La’Jon J. Pryor (wife Ketina); Robert F. Pryor (wife Angie); Sonya B. Pryor; Darrin C. Pryor Sr.; seven (7) grandchildren: Kiana N. Handy (husband Jonathan); La’Jon M. Pryor (wife Ebony); Alexis B. Chin; Stephanie M. Pryor (betrothed Carlos); Sateia Watson-Rhone (husband Donald Jr.); Darrin C. Pryor Jr.; Dalonte C. Pryor; seventeen (17) great-grandchildren: Auzsa Pryor, Avery Pryor, Ayana Handy, Azari Handy, Aniya Pryor, Ty’Jon Pryor, Ariana Pryor, Alanah Pryor, La’Jon M. Pryor Jr., Akiyrah Pryor, Adonis Pryor, Cameron Plummer, Makenzie Watson, Aliana Watts, Joziah Rhone, Jenisys Rhone, Jianni Rhone; four (4) brothers and sisters: Nettie L. Hill; Aundrea M. Lonon-Rice (Maxine); Janice M. Scarborough; Edward C. Pryor and a host of other relatives and friends who loved him dearly.