Tommy Pridgen

Bruce Grant “Tommy” Pridgen, 84, of Leland, formerly of Wilson, entered into eternal rest on July 29, 2026.

Funeral, Monday, August 3, 1:00 PM, at Wilson Memorial Service followed by visitation. Interment, Evergreen Memorial Park.

Born in Wilson County on August 2, 1941, he was the son of Della Edwards Pridgen and William Lee Pridgen. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, and our mother, Cecelia Sue Barnes Pridgen; his brothers, Bill Pridgen, Bob Pridgen, Ed Pridgen and Ray Pridgen; sisters, Bertha Thomas and Doris Morgan and a very special nephew, Cecil Jamie Speight and his loyal best friend of 17 years, Jacques, (his apricot poodle).

Tommy leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Shawn Denise White and husband Barry of Elizabethtown, Tammy Pridgen Barnes and husband Steve of Wilson, Bruce Grant Pridgen II and his wife Heather of Leland, and Lee Ann Pridgen Goff and husband Ray of Rocky Mount; grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Lawren Ashley White Rutland (Matt) of Elizabethtown, Susan Alexandra Pridgen of Wilson, Jordan McRae White (Molly) of White Lake, Grace Victoria Hill of Wilson, Campbell Christian White (Tori) of Gray’s Creek, Danielle Sharon Zare Bain Nixon of Rocky Mount, Danielle Faith Hill of Leland, Alison Kasey Nixon of Wilson, Natalie Pridgen Brabham (Ryan) of Macon, GA, Kathryn Spring Pridgen of Asheville, Douglas Bradlee Goff of Rocky Mount, Emily Blair Goff of Rocky Mount, and Spencer Grant Pridgen of Leland; 13 great‑grandchildren and a cherished sister‑in‑law, Ruby Ann Barnes, and her husband, Louis, of Rocky Mount.

Tommy graduated from Ralph L. Fike High School in 1959, where he played varsity baseball. He went on to become a steamfitter/pipefitter and traveled extensively up north working as a Nuclear Power Plant Engineer for several years. He also worked at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, MD. He later moved back to Wilson and helped Derrill Edwards start up his company in Spring Hope, NC.

Tommy had a deep love for the Crystal Coast. He was able to move there full‑time in 1989. He spent his mornings walking on the beach and enjoying the sunrise and would always let us know that he had walked two miles that day. Daddy enjoyed fishing from the pier or from a boat. It didn’t matter, he just enjoyed it. He joined the group “Save the Sea Turtles” and was amazed at the beauty of nature.

He loved following his grandchildren in their sports and academic activities. He would drive two and a half hours to attend soccer, track, water sports, baseball games, birthdays, and then head right back to the beach.

He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and would brag on them often. He was a very involved grandparent and loved his family dearly and often played, swam and went fishing with them.

He played softball and baseball throughout elementary, middle and high school, and was an extremely talented athlete. He loved to sing and knew every word to beach and 50’s music.

Tommy was always willing to help someone in need. While at the beach, he became quite the handyman. He would do carpentry, painting, electrical work, and plumbing for any of his friends or neighbors. He leaves behind a very special group of friends in Emerald Isle.

Daddy was able to live at the beach until his health failed in 2020. He was cared for by his daughter, Lee Ann, and in his final weeks by his son, Grant, in Leland.

Memorial contributions may be made to Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol, PO Box 4116, Emerald Isle, NC 28594. www.eiseaturtlepatrol.org

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com