Mr. David Outerbridge Pry, 74 of Middletown, MD passed away Friday, March 21, 2014 in his home, surrounded by his family as he had wanted. Born November 23, 1939, on the home farm (Needwood ) in Knoxville, MD was the son of the late Outerbridge Luther Pry and Helen Elizabeth Wolfe Pry.
Mr. Pry graduated from Middletown High School in 1957. He then joined the National Guard (Air Force Division) until 1964. He married the love of his life; Martha Lynn Rupp, on October 11, 1964. David & Lynn farmed the family farm (Needwood) for several years until David wanted to extend his farming and moved to the Brentland Farm on Kepler Road, Knoxville, MD. They continued to farm here until he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was forced to give up his passion of farming for health reasons. While he was farming for himself, Mr. Pry won a conservation award (Outstanding Young Cooperator) in 1980. He later went to work for the state of MD at the Frederick Soil Conservation until his retirement in 2011. During his employment at Soil Conservation he was named employee of the year from the MD Department of Agriculture in 1995. Upon his retirement, Mr. Pry was awarded a Governor’s Citation Conservation Award for outstanding service.
Mr. Pry was a loving and caring man that would do anything for anybody nor did he ever complain about anything, including his own health as it deteriorated year after year from the MS. Mr. Pry had several passions with God being the most important one; he was a true Christian and faithful servant to the Lord hiis family was very important to him as well as farming. Farming remained with him in his heart, mind and soul for the remainder of his life, even after he could no longer farm. Mr. Pry was born into membership at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burkittsville, MD and transferred to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Feagaville, MD when he started farming on his own. He was an active member of St. Luke’s until his death.
Surviving in addition to his wife is his daughter; Katherine Ann Pry Gilbert & husband; Ronald Gilbert, Jr., one granddaughter; Kayla Paige Scott, one brother; Richard L. Pry & Wife Patricia and numerous nieces and nephews that he had a special bond with. Mr. Pry had numerous foster siblings; Catherine A. Hughes, Carol Smith, and Robert Toms all of whom he had a very close relationship with and considered them as his own siblings as well as Pauline Leatherman Witherow, Betty Jane Gaver Smith and Robert Boyer. He was also survived by his loving extended family; Peter Rupp, Alan Gilbert and Ronald Gilbert, Sr. His cat; Simba, was very special to him as well. Mr. Pry was predeceased by his parents and a grandson; Kyle David Charles Scott.
On behalf of David, the family would like to give a very special thank you to their family doctor; Dr. Syed Haque, for all of his years of being more than just their family doctor. He was a true caring friend who always went above and beyond the call of duty to care for David with his MS.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 27th at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Feagaville, MD at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Kenneth Gill officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following at the Ballenger Community Hall across the street. Interment will be private at a later date. In Lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to their church; St. Luke’s Lutheran Church @ 5463 Jefferson Pike, Frederick, MD 21703.