Longtime Lenawee County educator David Pray remembered as 'champion for public education'

CLINTON — Many Lenawee County school districts are mourning the loss of a man who has been described as a “champion for public education.”

David Pray, 77, of Clinton died Thursday, April 18, at the Hospice of Lenawee Home in Adrian. Memorial visitations for Pray were held Monday at the Clinton Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. A celebration of life service will take place today at 3:03 p.m. at the Clinton High School gymnasium, with visitation from 1:01 p.m. to the time of the celebration of life, Pray’s obituary stated.

In lieu of flowers, donations are being made in Pray’s name to award an annual scholarship to a Clinton Community Schools student. Pray spent much of his career — more than four decades — in educational leadership at Clinton Community Schools serving as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

Clinton schools and Superintendent Kevin Beazley released a statement on Pray’s death, calling Pray a “beloved figure in the Clinton Community Schools and the broader Clinton community.”

“Mr. Pray's enduring impact and legacy of service have left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds,” the district’s statement said. “... From his beginnings as a teacher to his leadership as a principal, coach and longtime superintendent, Mr. Pray touched the lives of countless students, colleagues and community members. His unwavering commitment to fostering a positive learning environment has shaped generations of students and inspired all who knew him.”

Pray graduated from Taylor Center High School in 1964 and attended Adrian College where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1968. He taught fifth and sixth grades for one year at Deerfield Public Schools before coming to Clinton in 1970 where his career encompassed teaching sixth grade for 17 years, elementary school principal for five years, middle school principal for two years, and superintendent for 21 years before retiring in 2013.

From June 2013: David Pray proud of academic, financial achievements as superintendent

Outside of the Clinton schools district, Pray served as a trustee on the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) Board of Education since November 2016. He was active in various committees and initiatives that helped shape educational programming including the LISD’s general services committee, the career and technical education committee and the special education advisory committee.

He also lent his services to the community of Lenawee County, offering his time and expertise to various organizations including the Lenawee Community Foundation board, area scholarships, youth groups, the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties, Lenawee Cares and other charitable endeavors.

“His passion for making a difference in the lives of others was evident in everything he did,” Clinton schools said. “His passing leaves a void in our community that will be felt by all who knew him. However, his legacy of compassion, dedication and service will continue to inspire us for years to come. As we mourn the loss of Mr. Pray, Clinton Community Schools intends to honor his memory by continuing his work and embodying the values he stood for.”

The LISD described Pray as a “beacon of wisdom and dedication within the broader school community” for more than 50 years.

From November 2016: David Pray appointed to LISD board

“Lenawee ISD was fortunate to have Mr. Pray’s thoughtful leadership and advocacy for the past several years,” Superintendent Mark Haag said. “Whether it was working to improve countywide academic achievement, expand special education services to meet growing needs or create new career and technical education opportunities, Mr. Pray was a steadying force and passionate about quality education for all students.”

LISD Board of Education President Richard Germond said Pray was an “important voice on the Lenawee ISD Board.”

“He provided a wealth of experience and knowledge, particularly in budget and policy discussions, ensuring the district’s decisions always aligned with best practices and local student needs,” Germond said. “I will be forever grateful for having had the privilege of serving alongside him.”

Following his retirement from Clinton, Pray held interim superintendent roles at Clinton and Blissfield Community Schools during various periods of transition.

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“I was very fortunate to have Mr. Pray as the interim (superintendent) when I took over at BCS (Blissfield Community Schools). He did a great job of putting things in place to ensure I had a successful start,” Blissfield Superintendent Scott Riley, hired in 2019, said. "I also was very thankful that he was willing to assist me throughout my first few months at BCS. His dedication to students, passion for leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence inspired us all. His legacy will continue to shape the lives of countless educators and students for years to come.”

David Brewer, Blissfield schools Board of Education President, said Pray’s whole life was about helping people and providing children with the best opportunities for success. Pray first led the Blissfield schools district as an interim superintendent during the 2014-15 school year, where he quickly became a recognizable face in the hallways and at sporting events, Brewer said.

From June 2014: Blissfield chooses Pray as interim superintendent

“Be it parents and staff or the students who loved him, when you approached Dave (Pray), he had a way to make you feel like you were special. We knew who to call in 2019 when we once again needed an interim superintendent. Dave jumped back into the position like he never left,” Brewer said. “He made our superintendent transition easy and seamless. Dave had such a huge heart and love for everyone around him that it is tough to put it into words. He was a great man who placed others needs ahead of his own. He has the gratitude of Blissfield Community Schools for all he did for us.”

In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree, Pray earned a master's degree in educational leadership in 1973, and a specialist degree in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University in 1993.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Longtime Lenawee County educator, superintendent David Pray dies at 77