Obituary of Roland Norman Pruess

Roland Norman Pruess, age 83, of Forest Ridge Drive, Boone, passed away Friday morning, May 5, 2017 at Watauga Medical Center. Born December 31, 1933 in St, Louis, Missouri, he was a son of Henry and Ellen Biller Pruess. Mr. Pruess was a veteran of the U.S. Army and earned a Bachelors Degree from the University of Missouri. Always active in scouting, he was an eagle scout and served as scout master for Troop 101 in Blowing Rock for many years. Before moving to the Boone area, he developed properties in the Florida Keys, and later, in the Blowing Rock area. He owned and operated the Azalea Gardens Motel and the Alpine Country Store in Blowing Rock for many years. In later years, he devoted more than 17 years caring for his wife who was afflicted with Multiple Scleroses. Mr. Pruess is survived by his sons, Greg Pruess and Jody Pruess and wife Christy, all of Boone; and six grandchildren; Jalen, Paxton, Gabriel, Cameron, Chelsea and Barrett Pruess. He was preceded in death his wife, Vaughdean Dina Pruess and sisters, Rose Nichols and Betty Wagner. Graveside services with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 130 and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will be conducted Monday afternoon, May 8th, at 2 oclock at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, officiated by Rev. Ben Carson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Casting Bread Food Ministries, 194 Aho Road, Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Pruess family.