Prigmore is Veteran of the Year – Butler County Times-Gazette – Butler County Times Gazette
By Deanna Bonn BCTG
John Prigmore was named as the Veteran of the Year during The Celebration of Freedom Salute to Veterans event held on Friday, November 11th at the First Christian Church in El Dorado.
“This is a very special award that recognizes not only a veteran but a member of the community who has given back and continues to give back in so many different ways,” said Chris Karn, Managing Partner for Carlson & Kirby-Morris Funeral Homes.
Prigmore enlisted in the Navy Air Corp after the bombing at Pearl Harbor with the stipulation that he be able to finish high school. He graduated in 1944 and departed for basic pre-flight and flight school training. After the war ended in 1945, he attended Kansas State University on the GI Bill to study Architecture. In 1952, he returned to El Dorado to start his own business.
“I had planned on a career in flying but I also enjoyed architecture so that’s what I ended up doing,” he said.
“In fact, we’re in one of my projects right now,” Prigmore said as he looked around the sanctuary of the church.
Over the years he has been civically involved in the Jaycees and Rotary. He is a member of the Methodist church and has been a Boy Scout leader, a coach and held various positions on advisory boards and he was one of the original members of the Red Devils Cooking Group.
“This caught me completely flat-footed. It was a complete surprise,” said Prigmore.
“It’s always an honor to present the Veteran of the Year on behalf of Carlson & Kirby-Morris Funeral Home and the entire community,” said Karn.