James "Mick" Michael Pryor

James Michael Pryor, of Winston-Salem, 80, died 17 January 2025. Colleagues, friends and family knew him as Michael or Mick. Mick was born 7 August 1944 to Paul Pryor and Edna Stacy Pryor of Bat Cave, NC. He loved fishing Hickory Creek and the Rocky Broad River. He played basketball at Edneyville High School and served as senior class president. He treasured those school and church friends. Mick graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1967 with a BS in Accounting. He joined Price Waterhouse in Winston-Salem, before going on to start his own firms, Pryor, Sills & Fogleman, and later Daniel Professional Group.

 Mick was drafted in 1967 attending Army Basic at Ft. Leonard Wood, then OCS at Ft. Belvoir. After the Pueblo Crisis, he served on the DMZ in South Korea. When he returned to Ft.Belvoir, Mick met Army Captain Avon Burcher. They married 5 December 1970 at the Chapel of the Centurion at Ft. Monroe. They were married 54 years.

 Mick was a trusted advisor to his clients and his friends, a responsible employer, an honorable husband, and a darn good father. Despite the long hours of a CPA, Mick coached several of his daughters’ sports teams, and he never missed a game. He demonstrated integrity in everything he did and passed those values down to his daughters. He served on several community boards and was Chairman of the Board for the NWNC Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1993-1996.

In healthier years Mick cycled in challenging races such as the Hilly Hellacious Hundred in Fletcher, NC, and competed with his daughters as the Pryor Flyers relay team in the Lake Lure Triathlons. He enjoyed playing or watching most sports. He liked Country Music, Contra Dance and English Country Dance, attending dances around the state. He raised many generations of Blue Birds who would follow him on walks. He liked Jeeps, driving his tractor, and could fix most anything. He and Vonnie earned certificates in Forest Management and worked on conservation efforts on the family property in his beloved Bat Cave. He was close to his extended family and organized the Pryor Family Reunion for many years. He knew apples by kind, and looked forward to making homemade cider each fall. He loved NC, UNC, Plaid Shirts, Apples, Honey, Sweet Tea, Barbecue, and Krispy Kreme.

Mick was known as a kind, loving and gentle soul, and was especially adored by his wife, daughters, and extended family. He is survived by his wife Avon “Vonnie” and two daughters; Laurie Pryor (Dan George) of Santa Fe, NM, and Adrianne Pryor of Charlotte, NC, and a grandson, William Pryor-Barnhill of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his brother, Scott Pryor (Nancy) of Buford, GA; sisters-in-law Ginny Rehr (Dave) of Pinopolis, SC and Lynn Burcher (Russell Snipes) of Hillsborough,NC; nieces Tina McGinley (Gerry) of Cumming, GA, Susan Street (Mike) of Frankfurt, Germany; nephews, Eric Pryor (Anne) of Roswell, GA, Bradley Pryor (Susan) of Marietta, GA, and Mark Rogers (Tracey) of Pawleys Island, SC. Mick was preceded in death by his parents, Paul & Edna, his in-laws George and Marian Burcher, and 21 aunts and uncles.

Visitation will be held at 1pm Saturday, February 22nd, with a Memorial Service to follow at 2pm at Hayworth Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Donations can be made to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in the Hickory Nut Gorge: Bat Cave Volunteer Fire and Rescue, PO Box 11, Bat Cave, NC 28710 (https://www.batcavefire.org/); The Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Community Center (https://hickorynutchamber.org/list/member/upper-hickory-nut-gorge-community-center-242), PO Box 222, Gerton, NC 28735, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, PO Box 130, Bat Cave, NC 28710 (https://www.ectransfiguration.org/online-giving).