Nelson Arlington Pryor's Obituary
Nelson Pryor, 82, of Lee, FL, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at Madison County Memorial Hospital.
Nelson was born April 26, 1942, in Blaine, Maine, son of Harry E. Pryor and Verna P. (Estabrook) Pryor. He spent most of his formative years in Bridgewater, Maine. He was an avid Boy Scout and long distance runner in Junior and Senior High Schools. From an early age Nelson was especially enthusiastic about American history and government.
Nelson was never married and had no children of his own, but loved his family and the friends he made throughout his life. Nelson is predeceased by his parents, sister Leona F. Hess, and brothers-in-law Harold Delong Jr., Ovila Warner, Vester Sweeney, Rev. Robert Hess, James Wiggins and John Kilcollins. He is survived by two sisters, Arlene D. Wiggins (Mars Hill, Maine) and Mary Lou E. Kilcollins (Blaine, Maine), 12 nephews and nieces, and numerous grandnephews and nieces. He is also survived by special friend, Virginia Fuller, Perry, Florida.
Nelson attended Bridgewater schools and graduated from Houlton High School, Class of 1960. During Senior year Nelson attended college level courses at nearby Ricker College. Nelson was the first of his family to receive a college degree. Nelson attended San Diego State College, San Diego, California, and the University of Maine, Orono, receiving a Master in Education, 1974. Nelson served as a High School teacher in Berlin, New Hampshire, ca. 1968-72. Nelson proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard, Maine for 6 years (PFC, Honorable Discharge 1968), and Army National Guard Vermont for 1+ years (PFC, Honorable Discharge 1970).
Nelson’s career path became more political, serving one term in New Hampshire House of Representatives, 1973/74, and then several years as research analyst for federal government relations/lobbying organizations, Washington, DC. Nelson retired to Madison County, Florida in 2000 where he wrote articles with a distinctly conservative-bent for local newspapers; such as Madison Enterprise-Recorder and the Taco Times, Perry.
Nelson was well known in north Florida Republican circles for his conservative values. Nelson was described as a doer, a thinker, and a scholar. Nelson voluntarily created home-made political signs or ordered professional campaign signs/banners for conservative candidates; (even if not asked for help) then distributed them around Madison County and north Florida, all at his expense. Nelson was infamous for countless hours of historical and/or political research performed at the Valdosta State University Library. Nelson compiled his research for later use and often referred to historical vignettes relevant to a conversation or in newspaper articles or columns.
Nelson lived very frugally, yet he would generously sponsor students to attend Future Leader conferences; their flights and class fees paid for in full. He believed in sharing his knowledge and providing a road map for the youth to follow in his footsteps. Nelson will be missed for his generosity in both sharing his knowledge and providing for youth to follow in his footsteps.
A celebration of life and burial will be held in the Spring in Smith Cemetery, Bridgewater, Maine, at a later date.
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