Reverend Elmon W. Prier

Elmon W. Prier was born in Rhine, Georgia on September 10, 1946, to Minnie Mae Lowery and Ealrnon Prier and raised by a loving father Clifford E. Lowery. He graduated from Miami Northwestern High School in 1963. He earned degrees from Wilberforce University (BA 1967) and Antioch University (M.A.T. 1971). He retired in 1999, after 30 years, from the Middletown-Monroe City School District and the Butler County Joint Vocational School District as a Vocational Special Education Coordinator. He worked an additional 9 years at Verity Middle and Middletown High. He also was employed by Wright State University for one year as an Academic Advisor and one year for the Chrysler Corporation (Trenton Engine Plant) as an Employment Interviewer.

He is the husband of Wilhelmina Y. D. Prier, and the father of three sons, El-Mon Jamil, Darius Derron (Ana Lucia) and Andre Smith (Dee). Grandfather of Ariana, Anaiah, Andrea and Myles. He has one brother, Clifford Lowery Jr. and one sister Michelle Lowery.

He is a past member of the Ohio Education Ohio Education Association, National Education Association, Doris L. Allen Minority Caucus, Doty House Board of Trustees, Middletown Jaycees, United States Jaycees, W.W. Sebald Awards Committee, MTA Human Relations Committee, Miami University Middletown African-American Leaders Forum, Middletown Regional Hospital Minority Leadership Group, Bicentennial Committee, Middletown Youth Soccer Association, Middletown Community Foundation, City of Middletown Health Department Task Force, STD Task Force, Ohio Health Leadership Forum.

He is an ordained Associate Minister Emeritus at the United Missionary Baptist Church; after serving as Interim Pastor, Co-Pastor and Pastor of Greater Faith Baptist Church. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Teen Mentoring Committee, Butler County Retired Teachers Association, and many others. He is also proud of his success as a youth and high school coach for the youth of Middletown. Co-coach of Middies Track & Field State Championship Teams.

He is the author of several books, and he also created fourteen inspirational posters. The poster "Joe Cool" is the most famous poster created by Mr. Prier.

Awards won for community service and leadership are: The United Missionary Baptist Church Community Service Award; Ohio Jaycees Community Action Award; Ohio Education Association Human Relations Award; City Middletown Certificate of Leadership; Juneteenth Award for Outstanding Leadership; Crystal Apple Award for Outstanding Educator; Middletown NAACP Image Award; The Drum Major Award, YMCA Character Award and the Silver Leaf Lodge #456 Merit Award and many others.

Elmon W. Prier is the author of the following books Brown-Eyed Reflection of Life in America Through Poetry: An Anthology;: A Chocolate Piece of Middletown; 1978-1988; Quotations from Soul 'Man; 1967; and The Words, Wit, and Wisdom of a "Called Out African-American freelance Writer; 1990-2000; Profiles In Urban Character Education, The Drug Abuse Line-Up coloring book; Nine Lives of A Fish Called Abraham, The Columns, Articles and Essays of Elmon W. Prier, Word Songs From The Freedom Struggle; The Husky Who Ate Up The House. Prier has created 14 original educational/motivational/inspirational posters. They are: The Definition of a High School Drop Out;" "Joe Cool;" "The Drug Abuse Line-Up;" "The Recovery,"" A Tribute to Jesse Owens," "What's in the Name of Martin Luther King?" "The Snake;" "Just Sagging;" "Sidewalk University;" "American Patriotism:" "Words To Americans of African Descent," "Words To Teenagers of African Descent," "The High School Lady;" and "The Good Father".

Elmon Prier's works have appeared in or on the following print or electronic media: Cincinnati Enquirer, Jet Magazine, Middletown Community News, Middletown Journal, Ohioana Quarterly, Ohio State University's Jesse Owens, Track & Field Classic Magazine, Jet Stone News, Dayton Weekly News, The Cincinnati Herald, Pride Magazine, 42 predominantly African-American newspapers, WPFB Radio, Middletown, Ohio; WTUE Radio, Dayton, Ohio and 46 U.S. Radio stations.

Prier is truly one of America's best gifted unknown unsung non-syndicated writers and poets. He remains an independent, self-taught, self-published creative force from Middletown, Ohio.

Elman W. Prier continued to reside in Middletown post-retirement, where he was very active in the ministry and involved with the youth of the city. He continued to write and publish more books and teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mr. Prier served as a Pupil Services Facilitator at Middletown High School from 2001 until he retired in May 2011 from the Middletown City School District.

Prier was the first African American Varsity Head Coach Track & Field. His column in the Middletown Journal helped establish the Miami University Civil Rights Memorial. He personally took minority students to Central State and Wilberforce University. He wrote Athletic summary reports for Supt. Norm Hayes. He was the originator of the "Lay Middies of Excellence" Program at MHS. He was the liaison for the M.A.N.Y. Program at MHS. He shopped at Meijer and other stores for clothing for needy youth. He was a trained Social Worker for Middletown City School District. Prier was a founding member of The Teen Mentoring Committee. He wrote and administered The Marlene Lightford Davis Minority Scholarship for Jerome L. Davis. Assisted the head football coach with scholarships for Middie football players.

He was preceded in death by his biological father Ealmon Prier, father Clifford Lowery and Mother Minnie Mae Lowery. Grandparents Henry and Bessie Reaves and Willie Mae and Ralph McDuffie.

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