Richard "Cactus" Pryor -- Texas State Cemetery, Austin TX - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

cactus Pryor was a hoot -- I (Mama Blaster) read his column in the Austin American Statesman, and it always started my day off with a smile. Cactus Pryor had the gift of being able to treat anyone he met with the same grace and politeness, whether they were the President of the United States or a passer-by on the street. He loved people, and it showed.

Cactus Pryor is buried in Statesman's Meadow, Section 1, Row E, space 34C.

From the Texas State Cemetery website: (visit link)

"Full Name: Richard Pryor
AKA: "Cactus"
Location: Section:Statesman's Meadow, Section 1 (E) Row:N Number:24C
Reason for Eligibility: Approved, Texas State Cemetery Committee
Birth Date: January 7, 1923
Died: August 30, 2011
Buried: September 2, 2011

PRYOR, RICHARD "CACTUS" (1923 ~ 2011). The following is a family-placed obituary for Cactus Pryor, Texas radio icon. The obituary was published in the Austin American Statesman on September 1, 2011.

Nationally-known humorist and broadcast personality Richard S. "Cactus" Pryor left life's stage on August 30, 2011, in Austin after a long and spirited challenge against Alzheimer's. He was 88.

Born in 1923, the entertainment icon was an Austin native whose grandfather helped build the Texas Capital. Cactus contracted show business fever at age 3 when his father, Richard "Skinny" Pryor, let him make stage appearances at Austin's early-day picture show, the Cactus, which he owned. Those stints at the landmark led to his permanent nickname.

Cactus attended Austin High School and the University of Texas. After leaving UT he served in the US Army Air Corp. Upon his return to Austin he became a member of Lady Bird Johnson's broadcast family in 1944 when he joined the staff of KLBJ Radio and became a familiar decades-long fixture to Central Texas listeners. He also served as program manager for Austin's first and only television station for ten years, the Johnson's KTBC.

He made public disclosure of his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2007 but vowed that the show would go on. And indeed, his familiar voice was still heard on KLBJ this week via archival recordings, culminating a remarkable 67-year run.

Beyond his broadcast career, Cactus also appeared in two movies, "Hellfighters" and The Green Berets," with John Wayne. He and "the Duke" were friends and Cactus was introduced to the crew of the Green Berets as the "funniest man alive." Not surprisingly, he was a sought-after special events entertainment headliner. One of his trademark acts was to appear in the character of a monarch or other royalty of an obscure European principality. Disguised by dress and accent, he mesmerized dinner guests who were totally charmed and then astounded when the masquerade was revealed.

Cactus has been a distinguished writer all of his life. The bulk of his work has been for the radio ear or the television monitor, but he has published two books of his radio commentaries, Inside Texas and Playback, and a more recently light-hearted work, My Sand Trap or Yours.

Cactus also served as co-host of the weekly Darrell Royal Football Show for a number of years in the late 60's during that legendary U.T. coach's championship run. As such, he gave voice to the questions of Longhorn fans and often spiced the commentary with irreverent ad libs.

Cactus has been the recipient of a host of honors for community service through the years, including recognition as Austin's Most Worthy Citizen.

Cactus is preceded in death by his parents Richard "Skinny" Pryor and Mary Thompson Pryor; first wife of 33 years and mother of his four children, Jewell Elizabeth Allison Pryor; siblings Mary Alice Pryor Bryant Clark, Arthur Pryor, Bill Pryor and his beloved Labrador retrievers.

Cactus is survived by his wife of 22 years, Peggy Davis Pryor of Austin; daughter Kerry Pryor Guthrie and husband Larry, of Austin; son Paul Pryor of Austin; son Don Pryor and wife Kim, of Austin; son Dayne Pryor and wife Julie, of Dripping Springs; step-son Stuart Davis Clark and wife Julie, of Burnet; and daughter-in-law DorRae Pryor Stevens and husband Bobby, of Dripping Springs; grandchildren Allison Parnell Ponton and husband Mark, Ana Louise Pryor, Richard Ray Pecos Pryor and fiancé Katie Pinson, Elizabeth Jewell Pryor, Marissa Lynn Pryor, Kevin James Clark, Michael Davis Clark and great-granddaughter Ava Leigh Ponton; siblings Wally Pryor and wife Euna Faye, of Cedar Park; Harriett Pryor Scotka and husband Luddy, of San Antonio; mother-in-law Blanche Davis Ward of Little Rock, AR; and sisters-in-law Sarah Pryor of Austin and Patricia Davis Norris and husband Art, of Little Rock, AR. Cactus is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and mishpokhe.

All family members are deeply grateful for the many expressions of love and support. Cactus's greatest legacy will be the warm smiles he leaves with so many across Texas and far beyond. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Austin, Meals on Wheels, Capital Area Food Bank, Caritas, Austin Area Alzheimer's Association, Skinny's Gallery at the Paramount Theater or the charity of your choice to benefit those in need.

Cactus's family will observe a private burial at the Texas State Cemetery.

If you love Cactus, be with us to celebrate his life at Riverbend Church of Austin, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, TX, 78746 at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 2, 2011."

Description: Richard Cactus Pryor - Biography Early Life Richard "Cactus" Pryor (born January 7, 1923) is considered a legend in Texas broadcasting. A native Austinite, his grandfather helped build the Texas State Capitol building. His father was Richard “Skinny” Pryor, a vaudevillian performer who sang and danced and later owned one of the first moving picture shows in Austin, The Cactus, hence his nickname. Cactus mother Mary Pryor was a notable woman in her own right. She reared six children, of whom Cactus was the second in birth order, was house mother for over twenty years to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and Camp Longhorn ‘Mom’ to generations of campers. Media Career Cactus Pryor has been prominent in Texas broadcasting and entertainment since 1944. He went to work for Lady Bird Johnson’s radio station and with short absences for jobs in Houston, Alice, & Corpus Christi, TX has remained in that broadcasting network until present day. Cactus was program manager of Austin’s first and, for ten years, only Television station, KTBC. He remained a constant in Austin television until 1982. His programming decisions both reflected and shaped the attitudes that are uniquely Austin, TX. He fully integrated local television programming in the early 1950’s with a ‘but of course’ attitude. It was never a question or decision that had to be made. He is colorblind to talent and human spirit. Filmmaking Career Cactus has also appeared in two movies, Hellfighters and The Green Berets with John Wayne. He and “The Duke” were friends and Cactus was introduced to the crew on the set of The Green Berets as the funniest man alive. Speaking Career As an after dinner speaker, Cactus has entertained audiences all over the world. He would often appear in uniform, or some other guise, as a person from another country who had an expertise in whatever the group assembled was interested in. He talked with many of the group in pre-speech gatherings then gave his speech from the podium after being introduced by an official with the group. After sitting down to applause and laughter he was re-introduced as Cactus Pryor from Austin, TX. His second speech would regale the audience with the things he had earlier been told by the unsuspecting group members. Unsuspecting audience members include Literary Career Cactus has been a distinguished writer all his life and the bulk of his writing has been for the radio ear or the television monitor. He has published two books of his radio commentaries, INSIDE TEXAS, and PLAYBACK. His most recent book to be released in 2009 is MY SAND TRAP OR YOURS? A Collection of Golf Poems, Essays and Tips. His one-man play on J. Frank Dobie, the reknown Texas writer and folklorist, remains unpublished at this time. Date of birth: 01/07/1923 Date of death: 08/30/2011 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: dawn to dusk daily Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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