Primus J. Mootry Jr.

Primus J. Mootry Jr., 76, of Anderson, passed away on March 31, 2022, at the Community Hospital Anderson. Primus graduated from Northern Illinois University and Chicago State University. He was a retired Teacher for Anderson Community Schools and had also been a columnist for The Anderson Herald Bulletin. Primus became an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc on October 26, 1964. His life's work carried out the Mission Statement to develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities. He also served as the Executive Director of the Better Boys Foundation. Indeed, Primus was a career educator. Additionally, in the family we remember him lovingly as a self-taught pianist, a witty and mesmerizing storyteller who loved a good joke, a gifted speaker and dedicated writer, and an avid sports aficionado who in his later years enjoyed watching tennis, playing golf, and listening to Jazz. From his youth, he was a treasured member of the Church of the Living God (CLGPT). Primus loved literature. Paul Laurence Dunbar as well as William Shakespeare were among his favorites. His life journey, ironically, is reflected in poems like "If" and "When Earth's Last Picture Is Painted" by Rudyard Kipling. Three poems by the 17th-century poet, John Donne captured for him sentiments for the 21st century. The poems are "No Man Is an Island", "Death Be Not Proud" and "Batter My Heart." Most recently, Primus watched old westerns for both enjoyment and with curiosity about how this film genre has shaped our current cultural values. Thus, the arc of his life was consistent. He would frequently say how important it was to keep learning, to be curious, and to practice the seemingly lost art of asking questions. Primus is survived by his loving spouse of 25 years, Carolyn Mootry; his children, Angela Mootry Fisher and Martin Thompson; grandchildren, Gregory Scott Rhone-Mootry and Jordan Raquelle Fisher, a great-grandson, Gregory Scott Rhone-Mootry, Jr.; siblings, Constance (Kevin) Yokley, Beverly Ware, Janice (Dr. Leif) Nolan Sorensen; brothers-in-law, R. Kenneth. (Joycelyn) Johnson, Jeffery A. (Janet) Johnson, Bruce A. (Daphne) Johnson; several nieces and nephews. Primus was preceded in death by his father, Primus J. Mootry, Sr., mother, Helen M. Rushing, son, Benjamin Gregory Mootry, sister, Dr. Maria K. Mootry. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, Anderson, IN. Services will follow at 1:00 pm Saturday at the funeral home. The eulogy will be offered by Rev. Dr. Edward L. Foggs. The service may be viewed on the Loose Funeral Homes and Crematory YouTube channel.. www.loosecares.com.