Graveside service for Luke Pryor Gilchrist, 86, of Cotaco will be Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Blue Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Richard L. Richie and Peck Funeral Home directing. No visitation is scheduled.
Address: Blue Springs Baptist Church, 385 Blue Springs Rd, Somerville, AL 35670
Pryor, who died Saturday evening, was born December 25, 1936, in Somerville, to Vardy Poteet “Sport” Gilchrist and Moselle Holloway Gilchrist. He was a member of Grace Point Baptist Church in Florette.
Pryor graduated from Priceville High School and soon after enlisted in the United States Air Force. There he was trained in meteorology and served his country in many locations to include the Philippines, and Eglin Air Force Base. After completing his tour, Pryor worked for Pan-American at the Atlantic Missile Range where he supported national priority initiatives to include early missile system development and the NASA space flight program. Pryor’s heart was always closer to home, and he returned to North Alabama in 1962 to put down roots on his farm at Cotaco where he has lived ever since. He continued to support weather studies for the University of Tennessee at Redstone Arsenal until his retirement in 2001. He was a graduate of Montevallo University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
Pryor’s passions were farming, gardening and raising and caring for his family and friends. He faithfully tended to all animals under his care. Pryor was devoted to his family and married 60 years to his wife, Lynda Jenkins Gilchrist. He is survived by his wife, his son Bill Gilchrist (Angie) of Cotaco, his daughter Janet Keeling (John) of Madison, and grandchildren: Patricia Keeling, Eli Gilchrist, and Charlotte Gilchrist. Surviving siblings are brother: Skeggs Gilchrist (Francine) of Priceville, and sisters: Carolyn Jones (James) of Somerville, Barbra Earle (John) of Huntsville, Dianne Thompson of Trussville, and Kay Wilder of Somerville.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother: Norman Phillip Gilchrist, sisters: Jo Ann Pridmore and Margie Poteet, and baby sister: Elsie Janette Gilchrist.
Pallbearers will be Terry Morris, Austin Wilder, Alan Jenkins, Terry Gilchrist, Doc Wilder, and Sean Graham.
Memorials may be made to Huntsville Hospital Neurological Intensive Care Unit. To protect our family and friends, masks are appreciated.
