Legendary Local Broadcaster Cactus Pryor Dead at 88

Cactus Pryor, known to most Austinites for his work in local TV and radio, died yesterday at Hospice Austin's Christopher House. Pryor announced in 2007 that he had Alzheimer's disease, and had suffered a bad fall in recent weeks.

Cactus Pryor was raised in Austin and enjoyed sharing his memories of the town. During his life, he worked at Austin's first TV station (KTBC), appeared in a couple of John Wayne movies, and served many long years as a resident voice at KLBJ-AM. According to KLBJ-AM, Pryor was broadcasting live from Congress Ave. as crowds packed the street on V-J Day in 1945.

He was a close friend to the family of LBJ and Lady Bird Johnson. Luci Baines Johnson said upon news of Pryor's death, "I don't remember life without Cactus, and I can't bear to think of it now. But I know for sure that Mother and Daddy are leading the applause for his debut in heaven."

The LBJ Library has set up a tribute page honoring Pryor, and Austin360.com has collected remembrances from various folks about meeting and working with the Austin legend. KLBJ-AM's obit features some of Pryor's audio commentaries.