Paul Monroe Prentiss

Paul Monroe Prentiss, age 83, died Feb. 3, 2025. When he spoke with his son the day prior, he said, “I need to do something about this,” referring to his weakness and frustration caused by myasthenia gravis. And so he did.

His entire life was dedicated to “doing something about this”:

• As president of Brigit’s Village board in Frederick, CO, helping move the non-profit from planning to on-the-ground construction of 40 affordable housing units

• As emergency management program specialist for FEMA and disaster director for 23 counties for Red Cross, standing up shelters and assessing damage from Hurricane Katrina in Texas and Louisiana to tornadoes in Oklahoma and floods in New Mexico

• In the mid-1980’s for Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa (CA), creating one of the first day centers for unhoused people to open in the state of California

• In early 2017, when 14,000 unaccompanied migrant children crossed the Texas-Mexico border, organizing FEMA’s compassionate support for those children while they were detained

Paul was born October 19, 1941, in Albany, CA, the first son of three born to Olin and Muriel Prentiss. He was the first college graduate in his family, earning degrees in radio/TV/film (BA) and theatre arts (MA) from Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt). His careers included theatrical director and set and lighting designer; college professor; newspaper publisher and owner; Catholic Charities program director; and disaster response and recovery for Red Cross and FEMA.

Paul and his wife Demi (Lockett) Prentiss were married for 52 years. Demi survives him, along with his children Anastasia (Casey Allen) and JP (Kate) and grandchildren Alex, Inara, Jay, Nolan, and Landon; a brother Tim (Tessa) living in the Philippines; numerous cousins; and many friends who mourn his passing. He was preceded in death by his brother Tom.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held June 28, 11:00 am at St. Brigit Episcopal Church, 110 Johnson St., Frederick, CO 80530. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Paul with a charitable contribution in support of Brigit’s Village by logging in to https://stbrigit.org/donate/ and using PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle to make your donation. If you prefer, checks can be mailed to the church address. Online or by check, please be sure to include the memo “Paul-Brigit’s Village.”