Orlando (Robert) Hugo Prior, Jr. passed away Saturday, March 5^th, 2016, at home with his family at the age of 97. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Elizabeth (Gibson) Prior, parents Orlando Prior, Sr. and Catherine (Smith) Prior, sister Lillian Feller, sister-in-law Janet (Carol) Loeblein, parents-in-law F.D. and Billie Gibson. He is survived by two sons, Robert and Claude, two daughters, Elizabeth (Lisa) Jones and Paula Jacobs, and one grandson, Daniel Jacobs. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Darrel Jacobs and sister-in-law, Evelyn Barr.

Orlando attended Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School in St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis University with a D.D.S. degree. He served in the United States Navy as Lt. Commander with 8 years active duty during World War II and Korean War, followed by the Naval Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1965. During his service he received the National Defense Service Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, and World War II Victory Ribbon.

He followed in his father Orlando Sr.’s footsteps to pursue a dental profession and opened a private practice in Florissant, MO in 1959 and retired in 1997. (His father’s dental practice was located on Grand Avenue in St. Louis for many years, and among his patients were several Cardinal baseball players now in the Baseball Hall of Fame: Bob Gibson, Stan Musial and Rogers Hornsby.)

Orlando Jr. was an accomplished musician (clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, piano and organ) and played in the Paul Gianelli Orchestra. Both Orlando and Dorothy shared a variety of interests such as cooking, gardening, traveling, music, writing, reading, painting and illustrating.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 11:00 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Following the service there will be a light lunch with refreshments at Sylvan Springs Park (Cavalry/Artillery outdoor shelter) on Boundary Road near Jefferson Barracks. (Please arrive 15 minutes early if planning to attend the service.)

The family of Orlando Prior would like to express our sincere appreciation for your prayers and support during this time.