James Richard Prell

James R. Prell’s enormous heart stopped beating July 15th, 2026.

He loved to cook almost as much as he loved spinning records on his radio shows. Jim’s love of music started when he would hitchhike from Cleveland, NY as young teen to hear live music in Syracuse, NY to catch local and touring groups, so young that sometimes he couldn’t get into the venue and he’d have to stand outside to listen to his favorite bands. You could find him at the Poor House North, Lost Horizon, Squires East, Uncle Sam’s, Jabberwocky and Club 37. He saw The Police at the Fire Barn in 78’ on their first tour in the us before they were famous! His favorite local bands, still to this day, were the Flash Cubes & Screen Test. Jim was always on the cutting edge of what was happening musically.

Jim started sharing his great taste in music at Paul V. Moore High School station in Central Square, NY before taking radio and television classes at OCC. He quickly started his career as a morning personality for Radio stations in Oswego, Pulaski, Fulton and Liverpool, NY. He then moved his show to Florida, hosting the big band station WMMB in Melbourne, Florida. His final show was his own, The Music Authority, broadcasting from the Space Coast at his home studio with his cat Lily by his side every show. With all that said, Jim’s biggest passion was loving his best friend and partner, Lorene.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Louise and Frank Prell, his brother Mike Prell, sister Susie Burns and brother in law Chuckie Allers. He is survived by his sister Cindy Allers, wife Lori Prell, his in laws Joanne and Richard Shutt, sister in law Tamaralee Shutt (Brian Modafferi), and 13 nieces and nephews

Celebration of life gathering to be announced