Dr. Richard O. Prior, 92, of Carthage, passed away at 11:30 PM Saturday evening,
February 10, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.
Richard was born February 19, 1931, the son of Orvel B. and Minnie (Hopkins)
Prior on the family Centennial farm near Carthage. He graduated from Carthage
High School in 1949, and then was drafted into the U. S. Army. He served in
England during his service time and witnessed the coronation parade of Queen
Elizabeth in 1952. After his Honorable Discharge he graduated from the Palmer
Chiropractic College in Davenport and then opened his office in Warsaw from
1961 until his retirement in 1997. On February 25, 1954, he was united in
marriage to Esther Irene Walker. Richard and Esther where members of the
Smyrna Primitive Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Their greatest joy
was serving and entertaining church members.
Richard is survived by two sons, Dr. Duane Prior of Warsaw and David Prior of
Carthage; a daughter, Twila (Vince) Carlson of Denver, Colorado; a niece, Marsha
Malloy, that had lived with Richard and Esther for a time; granddaughters,
Brittany (Andrew) King and Kayla Prior; great grandchildren, Kanaan, Eden and
Zion King; two sisters, Marjorie Ridings of Greenville, Illinois and Myrtle (Chester)
White of Carthage; a brother, Charles (Mary) Prior of Deerfield, Wisconsin; and
many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Esther in 2017; a granddaughter,
Andrea Prior; and sisters, Hilda Mae Harris, Joyce Allen and Bonnie Baker.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Printy
Funeral Home with burial to follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be
held from 9:00 AM until the time of services at 11:00 AM at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the Smyrna Primitive Baptist Church. Printy
Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.