Dwayne K. Prifogle

Dwayne Kent Prifogle, age 63, passed peacefully in his Columbus, Ind., home on September 30, 2026. Dwayne knew he was greatly loved and content in having lived a life that was blessed beyond measure but all too short.

A native of Tipton, Ind, Dwayne was a graduate of Tipton High School and Hanover College in Hanover, Ind. where he was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation from college, he traveled to Florida for a job at Walt Disney World Resort. Dwayne’s first stop was the Disney Casting office where he was hired on the spot.

And so began a 34-year career of a lifetime with Disney. Starting as a front-desk clerk, Dwayne came full circle to join Casting as a recruiter for Disney. He went on to hold marketing positions for a variety of Disney businesses until retiring as a Compliance Administrator for Disney Vacation Club in 2021.

Dwayne’s personal and professional success was rooted in an unwavering commitment to excellence, passion for people and relationships, and his ridiculously sharp eye for details of every kind. He was an avowed perfectionist who did not suffer fools, excuses or typos gladly! But he did face all that and more with kindness, grace and a sense of humor for which he was famous.

In 1996, Dwayne met Jim Hunt. For the next 25 years until Jim passed in 2021, the two joyfully indulged their shared passions for travel (including visits to 49 National Parks), beloved pets of all kinds and caring for the environment.

Dwayne expressed his love often, openly and boldly. Countless family members, colleagues and friends turned to him as counselor, mentor and support. That extended to numerous charities to which Dwayne and Jim contributed their time and resources.

Dwayne’s world could never be too colorful or fun. He delighted in his sophisticated taste in kitsch, whether it was flamingo décor, colorful shirts or Key West vibes. He also relished classic roadside attractions and took special delight in seeking out hidden gems, out-of-the-way restaurants and unmapped roads.

In 2023, Dwayne was diagnosed with a rare condition called AL Light-Chain Amyloidosis for which there is no cure. Before his death, Dwayne was determined to help others afflicted with this horrific disease. That included outreach to major research hospitals he had been to and enlisting family and friends to aid in the search for how he could contribute to research and a cure. His relentless pursuit paid off when he discovered that the University of Tennessee is the only organization in the U.S. actively researching this rare disease. Dwayne signed papers donating his body to the university the day before his death. His last great joy was knowing that he could finally help researchers identify amyloidosis in patients sooner and ultimately find a cure. His wish was that no one else would endure and suffer through this relentless disease.

“Over The Rainbow” was Dwayne’s favorite song and a fitting one for him. In a world that’s too often dark and dreary, he was a burst of color and someone who dared to dream and really make those dreams come true.

In addition to his husband Jim, Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents Clarabelle and Donald “Pete” Prifogle. Survivors include sisters Cheryl McGee of Columbus, Ind. and Susan (Stephen) Lowry of Yorktown, Ind.; sister-in-law Bonnie Hutto of Palm Bay, Fla.; nieces and nephews Ricky (Paige) McGee, Betsy (Neal) Lowry-Tardy, Chris (Madison) Lowry, Courtney (Paul) Bryant and Lindsey Hutto.

A visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton, with a service to follow at 3:00. A Celebration of Life will also take place in Orlando, Fla., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the University of Tennessee Amyloidosis and Cancer Theranostics Research Gift Fund. Gifts can be made online at https://www.utmedical.org/give-back/give-now or sent to the Office of Philanthropy, 2121 Medical Center Way, Suite 110, Knoxville, TN, 37920.

Other ways to remember Dwayne would be to donate to the Friends of Acadia National Park (FriendsofAcadia.org), the conservation and protection fund for your favorite National Park, or the Humane Society of Tipton County, 825 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072, for food to help those pets in need (https://tiptonhumane.com/how-to-help/ ).

Online condolences for Dwayne’s family may be left on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.