Roden-Pryor Funeral Directors

Through the years this most spacious structure has been readily adaptable to meet our changing needs. Under Mr. Roden's guiding hand the business developed as one of the finest funeral homes in Texas. His progressive imagination and warm personality brought him great respect from his contemporaries within the funeral industry and from the citizens of Lamar County. In 1954, two strokes required that he restrict his physical activity, but he continued to be interested in the service rendered by his staff until his death on June 4, 1962. After Mr. Roden's death, his wife, Cecile Roden became the sole proprietor of the firm. Her son Paul Gene Roden, Jr., became the next manager of the business and later his brother Marcus Roden joined him and they became co-managers. In 1980 Paul Gene Roden, Jr. left the funeral home to become the President of Northeast United Life Insurance Company, and Marcus Roden became President and General Manager of Gene Roden's Sons. In March, 2006, the building was purchased by Arvin Starrett. Following significant interior redesign and remodeling, it was formally rededicated on June 11, 2006. It was then sold and purchased by Don and Kandice Pryor on June 6, 2016. Purchased by Shain Family in 2018.