[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 62 (Thursday, May 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. HUGH THOMAS PRAYTOR, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2005

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, Mobile County and indeed the entire state of 
Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and 
pay tribute to his memory. Mr. Hugh Thomas Praytor, Jr., known as Tommy 
to his many friends, was a devoted family man and dedicated community 
leader throughout his life.
  A native and lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama, Tommy Praytor was 
a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and worked as a 
banker for 48 years. His first job, as a part-time counter at the old 
Merchants National Bank in Mobile, began during summer breaks during 
his time in college. Following his graduation, he took a full-time 
position at Merchants and worked in the bank's computer department. He 
continued his career with the bank after it became Regions Bank, and 
spent many years at the end of his career specializing in private 
lending and in bond issues for municipalities seeking infrastructure 
and other community improvements.
  Even with his numerous professional obligations, Tommy also found 
time to involve himself in several Mobile community organizations. 
During his lifetime, he served as a group chairman for Alabama Young 
Bankers and was treasurer of the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club. 
Additionally, he served on or was affiliated with the Senior Bowl 
Committee, the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing 
Rodeo, the Mobile Bass Master Club, and several Mardi Gras mystic 
organizations. He was also a longtime member of All Saints Episcopal 
Church in Mobile and spent several years as both a Sunday school 
teacher and a member of the church vestry.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a 
dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. 
Tommy Prayter, Jr., loved life and lived it to the fullest, and his 
passing marks both a loss for all of south Alabama and a personal loss 
for me. I was fortunate to call him my friend, and he will be deeply 
missed by one and all, most especially his family--his wonderful wife 
of 46 years, Jamie Catlin Praytor, his sons, Hugh Thomas Praytor, III, 
and Wilson Wrath Praytor, his daughter, Ellen Praytor Wingard, his 
sister, Carolyn Praytor Smith, and four grandchildren--as well as the 
countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with 
them all at this difficult time.

                          ____________________