Thomas Carl Pryer

Thomas Carl Pryer, was born on December 12, 1938, in Lancaster, PA, to Carl Bernhardt Pryer and Hazel Marie Hart-Pryer. He was the eldest of four children. He attended the Pennsylvania Public School System graduating from Lampeter-Strasburg High School in June 1956. He began working in 1956 for the Raub Supply Company as a clerk. In 1958 he began working for Precision Time Corporation as a secretary. On September 24, 1960, he married Marianne Romaine Schuler. In 1962, he accepted a civilian position at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The Pryer’s moved from Pennsylvania to Maryland in 1965. They had two children Thomas Keith Pryer (The Late Sharon L. Pryer), and Kendra Lousie Fisher (Robert). Tom continued to pursue his music and theatre career and studied voice with Mr. Frederick Robinson and instrumental music with Ms. Opal Petters. He studied acting with Mrs. Alicia Rush. He eventually studied choral singing and directing with Mr. Fred Waring at Penn State University where he had the opportunity to sing with the world-famous Pennsylvanians the Waring Blenders. Tom became a Mason in March 1969. He and his wife joined Victory Chapter #40 in June 1969. They immediately became active with their chapter. Tom held the station of Warden, Chaplain, Associate Patron, Organist and Secretary. He was Worthy Patron three times in 1975, 1981, and 1985. In 1975 he was appointed Director of the Grand Chapter Choir in 1978 and served in that position for 15 years. He also served the Grand Chapter as Chairman of Room Reservations for three sessions and Chairman of the Memorial Roll Committee for two years. In 1976, he succeeded Brother Frank Talley, P.G.P., as Acting Worthy Patron for Octoraro Chapter No. 463 in Oxford, PA. He was elected Associate Grand Patron in 1981, and Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of MD, Order of the Eastern Star, in 1982-83. In November 1988, Tom was appointed a member of the Public Relations Committee of the General Grand Chapter in Atlanta, Georgia. He served the triennium for Sister Lois Newman and Brother Robert MacDonald culminating at the triennial assembly in St. Louis, Missouri in November 1991. He was also a member of the HarCe Forest, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. Tom was the director of music at Havre de Grace Presbyterian for several years, starting in 1983. He has had a long and distinguished career as director of many choral groups and choral festivals. He has been a very active director and producer of Community Theatre, presenting over 150 plays during his career. Tom was also a soloist for many years at almost every Grand Session in Maryland starting in 1969. Tom passed away on November 14, 2021. He was 82. A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 10 – 11 AM, at Hopewell United Methodist Church, 3600 Level Village Road. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM. Masks are required. Pastor Lynne Humphries-Russ will officiate. Interment will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.