Peerless staffer marks two milestones this week

Pictured with Charla Pryor, who retired from Peerless Products on Wednesday, are Master Scheduler Steve Cliffman (left) and President Bill Osbern. This was one of the cakes Pryor and Peerless employees dug into as part of the celebration. Pryor worked for Peerless for a total of 38 years.(Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Charla Pryor experienced two milestones this week -- her retirement from Peerless Products Inc. in Fort Scott, and a day later, her 65th birthday.

Pryor was feted Wednesday for 35 years of service to the commercial window and door firm. She worked at Peerless for three years before that, but her family moved to Wichita and then moved back to the area.

Pryor has worked all over the plant on the door line, drop-in glazing and as a back-up welder. Her last post was as a processor -- putting screens together.

After being presented with retirement and birthday cards, the Mindenmines, Mo., resident made some remarks the mass of coworkers assembled for cake and well-wishing. "I've made some really good friends over the years. ... I'm going to miss everybody -- and I'm going to cry," she said.

When she first started at Peerless, Pryor said her two sons were little and she was only going to stay for four months. "But it didn't work out that way," she said.

She and her husband, Jim, now have six grandchildren as well, with whom she plans to spend more time.

What's kept her on the job -- and what she'll miss most -- are the people. "The people are nice to work with and for. They keep you pretty busy," Pryor said.

Many of her coworkers will miss Pryor as well.

Master Scheduler Steve Cliffman worked with Pryor when he was plant manager and she was in the screen, trim and grid department.

"She was very pleasant to work with and did a really good job," Cliffman said, adding she was always reliable.

Trim Supervisor Carrie Ledom said she worked with Pryor for 20 years. "I'm really going to miss her. She's a terrific person and she knows her job," Ledom said.

Screener Albert Budd, who has worked at Peerless for 39 years, said Pryor was "real nice to work with and she'll be missed."

Tresia Graham, who has worked with Pryor for eight years, echoed those sentiments and more. "I love Charla. ... She's a good person. She taught me a lot. ... I'm going to miss her big time," Graham said.