MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Charles N. Prudames, vice president/sales for Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., died April 4 after losing a long battle with cancer. He was 64.

Prudames started work at Jay R. Smith in 1984 as a regional manager following a career in field sales. In 1989 the company promoted him to national sales manager, then a few years later to vice president/sales. Under his guidance, the company experienced the longest and most prosperous sales and marketing growth in the company’s history, a spokesman said.

“I want to share my deep sense of pride and gratitude for the opportunity to serve this fine company, our associated representatives, fellow workers and customers,” Prudames said in February. “In my tenure as vice president of sales, the Smith team has made this the most enjoyable and personally rewarding work experience of my career.”

Prudames is survived by his wife, Wallene Prudames; his children, Tracey Prudames Horne and husband Blake and Charles N. Prudames Jr. and wife Ashley; and his granddaughter, Katherine Brook Horne.

The Prudames family held a memorial service April 7 at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Charles N. Prudames’ name to the American Cancer Society (by phone, call 800/ACS-2345). Acknowledgements may be sent to: The Prudames Family, 1024 Woodward Ave., Montgomery, AL 36106.