Phillip Prior, M.D.

THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF PHILLIP E. PRIOR, M.D.

Phil's remarkable life began on November 27, 1953, when he was born the fifth and last child of Thelma Lee and Harold "Bud" Prior. His older siblings are Carol (Eastin), Gary, David and Martha (Ryan). Phil's siblings, his beloved wife, Tammy, and his children are with us today.

Phil's success in adult life would not have been predictable to those who knew him as a youth. His father claimed that he went to Phil's high school graduation ceremony just to be sure Phil actually graduated.

Phil took a short break - only 7 years - after graduating high school to find his calling. During this period, he worked in bicycle repair and earned his first post-graduate degree in automotive mechanics from New York Technical Institute.

At the age of 24, Phil decided he wanted to become a medical doctor. And as with other challenges he set his mind to, whatever the obstacles, he determined to excel.

He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1982 Phi Beta Kappa, with High Honors in his Biology major. He was accepted to and graduated from The Ohio State University School of Medicine in 1986 in the top 10% of his class, earning Cum Laude Honors and membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He did this almost entirely on his own, even though that necessitated multiple student loans.

Phil did his residency training in Family Medicine at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, and in General Surgery at the Ohio State University Hospital. He then practiced family medicine in Chillicothe for many years, while growing his family.

His first wife, Virginia, brought a son, Dan Fahy, who along with Phil's father, Bud, became part of the Prior extended family living on Phil's farm in Stoutsville, Ohio. Two more children were born there, Carol and Dave. Countless dogs and other animals, domesticated and otherwise, also inhabited the farm, including Phil's favorite, Brownie, a German Shorthair Pointer. The family dog when Phil - then known as Flip - was growing up was a German Shorthair named Joan of Arf, or Joannie, famous for her flatulence.

Phil was never one to suffer from a lack of interests or hobbies. A lifelong sportsman, hunter and fisherman, Phil also renewed a childhood interest in rocketry. As usual with Phil, he took no half measures; Phil built and launched a rocket that set the amateur rocketry world record for altitude that stood for many years. This occasion sparked the first of many of Phil's quotations in the press. When asked what his plans were after setting the record, he said, "I'm going to Disney World." There would be many future references to Phil in the press, and many more occasions to flash the familiar Prior sense of humor.

In the late 1990's, Phil became interested in the issue of substance abuse. Typical of him, he dedicated the remainder of this life to the recovery of many suffering from addiction and to the science of addiction. As a result, he received his certificate in Addiction Medicine from the American Society of Addiction Medicine in 2002. As might be expected, he pursued this new interest to the fullest degree, becoming a well-recognized expert in addiction and its treatment, in particular the plague of opiate addiction. In addition to his job as an Addictionologist in the Substance Abuse Program of the Veterans Administration, he became a key consultant to the State of Ohio and others, and is credited with making Ohio the first state to approve use of a break-through drug, Suboxone, in the treatment of opiate addiction. He also volunteered at Ohio University as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Specialty Medicine.

Phil was also widely quoted in major publications, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, on issues like abuse of prescription drugs and addiction issues. In recognition of Phil's works for the State of Ohio, he and his wife, Tammy, were told that a new treatment and recovery center in Jackson, Ohio would be dedicated to and named after him.

Sadly, Phil was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2012. After some initial false hope, it soon became apparent that Phil's cancer was terminal. Phil passed on in Pickering House Hospice on March 26th, 2013, attended by his beloved wife, Tammy, her family, his children, siblings, nieces and nephews and his many friends - including his "peeps," the buddies who worked with Phil at his car repair and recovery garage at the Prior farm.

Phil was survived by his wife, Tammy Prior; sons, Daniel (Liz) Fahy, David S. Prior; daughter, Carol E. Prior; step-children, Brooke (Josh) Frank, Madison Houseworth; grandchildren, Caroline and Allison Fahy; step-grandchild, Averie Frank; siblings, Carol P. Eastin, Gary L. (Nancy) Prior, H. David (Jean) Prior, and Martha P. Ryan; several nieces and nephews; and his legacy of love, laughter, wit, intelligence, accomplishment, service and good works.

Phil will be cremated and his ashes scattered on the farm he loved according to his wishes.

Caring Cremation® has taken place through the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home, 405 N Columbus st. Lancaster, 43130, on Saturday, at 2PM, officiated by Pastor Larry Horn. Family and friends may call 2 hours prior to the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Phillip Prior Fund, c/o Health Recovery Services, Inc., 224 Columbus Road, Athens, OH 45701 or to the Pickering House 282 Sells Rd. Lancaster Ohio 43130.
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