David Hampton Pryor, an alumnus of the University of Arkansas, former trustee, governor of Arkansas, U.S. senator and a recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the U of A, died April 20, 2024, in Little Rock. He was 89.

A native of Camden, Pryor graduated from the U of A in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in government before receiving a law degree from the U of A School of Law in 1964. While an undergraduate student, Pryor was active in student government; editor of the Guild Ticker, a business college publication; and was also an editorial writer for The Arkansas Traveler, the campus student newspaper. He met his wife, Barbara Lunsford, at the U of A, and the two married following Thanksgiving Day in 1957. His political career started three years later and spanned more than three decades.

“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of former U.S. senator and Arkansas governor David Pryor,” Chancellor Charles Robinson said. “Senator Pryor's commitment to public service and dedication to the betterment of our state left an indelible mark on Arkansas and its people.”

A distinguished graduate of the U of A, Pryor remained a steadfast supporter of the U of A throughout his life. As a visionary leader within the U of A System, his contributions were multifaceted: he served as a U of A System trustee, was founding dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and was a driving force behind the establishment of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History. The Pryor Center stands as lasting testament to his and his wife, Barbara’s, passion for preserving the rich history and stories of our state. 

David Pryor was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1974.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Barbara Pryor and the entire Pryor family during this difficult time,” Robinson said. “The University of Arkansas community will forever cherish David Pryor’s memory and the profound impact he had on our institution, our state and beyond.”

A LEADER FOR ARKANSAS

Pryor was first elected to Congress in 1966 and served until 1973 as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was then elected the 39th governor of the State of Arkansas in the fall of 1974 and served until 1979, when he was elected a U.S. senator.

During his time as a U.S. senator, Pryor served as the chair of the Senate Aging Committee and was the secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus. He left office in 1997 and later rejoined his alma mater as the Fulbright Distinguished Fellow of Law and Public Affairs.

In 1999, he donated the remainder of his campaign funds to establish the U of A’s David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History. The center’s mission is to document the cultural heritage of Arkansans by collecting audio and video resources to share with scholars, students and the public. Today the center is part of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and maintains close partnerships with the U of A Libraries' Special Collections and other academic units across the university.

“I and all of us at the Pryor Center are profoundly saddened by the passing of Sen. David Hampton Pryor. He committed his life to serving Arkansans, and the loss Arkansans will feel with his passing will only be rivaled by the love we in the state had for him – and he for us. David Pryor represented the very best of Arkansas and was a devoted public servant who was loved by all who knew him,” said John C. Davis, executive director of the Pryor Center. The Pryor Center is honoring him with featured interviews and images online. 

In addition, the David H. Pryor Papers are available as a part of the U of A Libraries' Special Collections. 

David Pryor was a U of A graduate in 1957 and 1964. He served on the UA Board of Trustees from 2009 until 2019.

In 2004, Pryor was named the Founding Dean of the Clinton School of Public Service and helped set the direction of the school’s mission. He also served on the U of A Board of Trustees from 2009 until 2019.

Pryor will lay in state from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Arkansas State Capitol. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham in Little Rock. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at 2nd Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, at 600 Pleasant Valley Dr. His final resting place will be Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers or food, please consider a donation toward David Pryor's legacy of public service by sending a donation to the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Oral and Visual History, 1 East Center St., Suite 120, Fayetteville, AR 72701. You may give online at pryorcenter.uark.edu.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.