Obituary: John Frederick Prince Jr.

John Frederick Prince Jr., 66, was born in Phoenix, Ariz., at St. Joseph's Hospital on Oct. 29, 1943. He was the oldest son of John F. Prince, Ph.D., and Margaret Ovens Prince. He passed away Sept. 6, 2010.

John attended St. Gregory's Elementary School, Brophy College Preparatory, Phoenix College and graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in history in 1966. While at St. Gregory's, John was active in sports and the Boy Scouts of America. At Brophy College Prep John participated in football and baseball. While a student at Phoenix College, John was active in the wrestling program. He also was a tackle on the football team, receiving the Most Improved Player Award his sophomore year. At the University of Arizona John was a guard on the Wildcats football team during his junior and senior years.

Upon graduation from the University of Arizona John volunteered for the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December of 1966. After further officer training, John was deployed to Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Commander. John served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He served with the third battalion, 26 Marine Regiment, during which time John saw continuous combat action in Northern "I" Corps along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), most notably in defense of the Marine Combat Base at Khe Sahn. John was the recipient of the Purple Heart for being wounded in the service of his country. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps at, Camp Pendleton, Calif., in 1970.

After the completion of his honorable military career, John entered the banking industry specializing in commercial and residential financing in Phoenix. This banking experience prepared him for a real estate career in both the rapidly growing Phoenix and Prescott areas. While in Prescott, John worked for Realty Executives. He was also active in the community and with Veteran's Affairs.

John was a kind, loving brother, uncle and godfather. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. John is survived by a brother, Michael; sister Terry Prince Sims and her husband Bill; sister Mary Martha; six nieces and nephews, Jonathan Sims, Christopher Sims, Jacqueline Prince Sims, Matthew Prince and his wife Tiffany, Brittany Prince, and Hawley Prince; and a grand-niece, Kylee Prince.

John will be interred with full Marine military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, at 3 p.m. Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. Following internment, a celebration of John's life will be at the Fort Meyer Officer's Club. Contributions may be made in memory of John Frederick Prince Jr. to the VA, 500 Highway 89 North, Prescott, AZ 86313, or to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 3800 Fettler Park Drive, Suite 104, Dumfries, VA 22025.

Chino Valley Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Information provided by survivors.


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