Chester Alexander Pryor was the only child born to the late Ollie Mae Brown Pryor and George Pryor, Jr. on March 20, 1933, in Fairfield, Alabama. When he was nine years old, he moved to New York City with his mother and stepfather and attended elementary and junior high school. When his mother became ill, he moved to Cleveland Ohio with his father and stepmother. He attended Central High School.

After high school, Chester enlisted in the United States Army. While stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky in 1956 he met and married Lucinda McCoin. Into this union a daughter, Mary Christine, was born.

Chester worked hard to provide for his family, sometimes working three jobs to make sure they had what they needed. He had a few jobs before he found his calling. He worked at Avis Car Rental, Cleveland Main Post Office, and he even drove an 18-wheeler truck. The most joy came from his jobs in law enforcement. He started in private security and worked as a special policeman during the Hough riots in 1966, protecting the Pick and Pay grocery store. He also worked as a Cleveland Police Officer for the House of Corrections, commonly known as the “workhouse”.

Chester attended Cuyahoga Community College and earned an associate degree in public safety management. He became Chief of Police at Warrensville Heights Developmental Center and later joined the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, where he enjoyed serving the community for many years.

Chester accepted Christ at a young age, he was raised Catholic but he enjoyed discussing the Bible and many different religious practices. Chester was warm and friendly and always smiling. If he ever got mad about something he couldn’t stay mad for long. He was genuinely a nice guy.

Chester loved to play poker. He and his buddies would have weekly poker nights where they often played until the next morning. Later, he and his sisters-in-law formed a new card-playing group, 3 girls (Queens) and a guy (King). They enjoy getting together as often as possible to take each other’s change.

We had the privilege of celebrating his 90th birthday in March. Chester leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy, his loving and devoted wife, Essie Pryor, his daughters, Debra Joyce, Mary Christine, and Cassandra Lynn “Sandy”, and his son-in-law, Kevin Carter, his grandchildren, Tamika, Scorone Myron, Marlon, Ronisha, Lavanessa, David III, Kamille (Davon), Delvon (Erika), Kelly (Ibifubara), Carey, and Dillon, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren, 1 brother, Greg, 1 brother-in-law, Charles Whitfield (Dell), 4 sisters-in-law, Juanita, Laverne, and Angie, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Three sons, George Ralph, Larry, and Ronald “Boone”, preceded him in death.