Jesse Donald Prince, 96, of Hot Springs, a member of the greatest generation, passed away October 6, 2019. Born to the late Albert and Augusta McCowan Prince in DeRoche, Arkansas, his father moved them to Long Beach, California at the height of the Great Depression. The family came back to Arkansas in time for Jesse to finish his school years at Manila High School.
After high school, Jesse travelled between Tennessee, Arkansas, and California. After the outbreak of World War II, Jesse joined the Navy serving on the USS Lawrence in the Pacific.
Shortly after his return stateside, he met the love of his life, Alma Jean Shuffield, on a double date- set up by his sister, Mildred. Jesse and Jean were married on October 12, 1946. For nearly 73 years they shared family, faith, and friendship.
Jesse graduated from Little Rock Junior College before beginning his retail career with M.M. Cohn. He left M.M. Cohn to work for Dillard’s. He retired from Dillard's after 34 years of service.
Jesse is survived by his wife, Jean Prince; his son, Stanley Prince; his daughter-in-law, Dorcas Prince; and his sister, Mildred Pilcher.
Jesse taught his son, Stanley Prince, the importance of taking life by the handlebars and enjoying the ride. He lived and loved every moment. As Ernest Hemingway observed, “Every man’s life ends the same way. It’s only the details of how he lived …that distinguish one man from another.”
