John Victor Pryles

John Victor Pryles, 85, born October 30,1919, died January 14,2005. Mr.Pryles, a native Atlantan, is preceded in death by his wife Marika George Pry1es, his son Victor John Pryles, his brother Frank Victor Pryles, and his parents Greek immigrants Victor Konstantine & Mary Loucou Pryles. He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Little and husband Jack Little, daughter-in-law Millie Finch Pryles; grandchildren John & Erin Pryles, Kendall Pryles-Reemer & Jason Reemer, John Little and Melissa Little; brothers Dr. Charles V. Pryles, Dr. George V. Pryles, Harold V. Pryles; sisters Lula Pryles Alexander, Bebe Pryles Dorris and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Pryles graduated from Commercial High School in Atlanta and attended Georgia State University for two years before joining the US Airforce where he was stationed in St. Joseph's Missouri with the 561st AAF Base Unit at Rosecranz field. He was an airplane mechanic instructor and also newspaper correspondent for the social section of The Rosecraz Flyer. After WWII ended, Mr. Pryles returned to Atlanta where he worked for the Fruit Growers Railcars and then was with The Pullman Company as head Clerical Manager. He later worked for Ford Motor Company in Hapeville, Georgia with the Lincoln-Mercury Division and then Edsel-Ford. In the early 1960's Mr. Pryles went into the insurance business with his brother-in-law Steve Alexander. He worked for Steve Alexander Insurance until the early 1970's and went on to Southern Insurance. At the age of 55 he began his own insurance agency, Pryles- Wiggins Insurance with partner Betty Wiggins. Mr. Pryles sold his business when he reached his early 70's and then worked with Hamby-Alessio Insurance until he retired at the age of 78. Throughout Mr. Pryles life he was very active with the Greek Community. He served on various parish council committees. He was president of the Hellenic Center and secretary of A.H.E.P. A. However, there are two things Mr. Pryles is best known and loved for within the Greek community. He taught Greek immigrants and teenagers of the community how to drive, guiding them through the rules and regulations and the streets of the State of Georgia. He was also known as the "wedding director". His knowledge of the rules of the church and accepted wedding etiquette was extraordinary. He directed the weddings of young couples, then did their children's weddings and even some of their grandchildren. He would comment during the rehearsal that a couple and their friends had a choice, they could either have a "Greek picnic" or a beautiful and orderly affair. He also emceed at many Greek dinner receptions. To have Mr. Pryles "do your wedding" was to trust that it would be perfect in every way. Services for Mr. Pryles include a prayer service at the AS Turner Funeral home in Decatur, Georgia at 7PM on Monday, January 17, and Church Services at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Clairmont Road in Atlanta at 1 PM on Tuesday, January 18. Burial will be in Floral Hills in Tucker. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Egleston's Children's Heart Center, Atlanta Hospice or Portsbridge Hospice. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at A. S. Turner & Sons.