Howard Taft Prince Jr. was born Jan. 31st, 1930 in Jacksonville, FL the son of Howard and Jewell. His sister, called him “Bub” while most Jacksonville high school friends called him “Red or Lefty.” Howard is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Betty Prince and son Kenny Prince. Howard’s life is a living testament to the faithful grace and mercy of Jesus Christ over many years.
The family of Howard includes his daughter Krissie Heuer married to Chris Heuer, grandson Christopher Heuer with wife Sarah and great grand-daughter Harper. Son Hal Prince is married to Terri Prince, granddaughter Hailey Broussard with husband Kevin, granddaughter Meagan Nethers with husband Jay and grandson Howard Taft Prince IV. Seven more great grand-children include Max, Jack, Henry, George, Miles, Mia and Charlie! Grandchildren from Kenny Prince include Carrie Rose with husband Nate, Ellie Prince and Michael Prince and great grandchildren, Noah and Hudson Rose.
Howard’s father, originally from Valdosta, GA played semi-pro industrial league baseball for US Steel in Birmingham AL where he met his mother Jewell. They married and moved to Jacksonville to manage an A&P grocery store.
Growing up in Jacksonville before WWII Howard lived a young boys dream . . . catching baitfish with nets and selling bait, fishing every day, life at the beach and he became an Eagle Scout. When Pearl Harbor was attacked Howard volunteered with the Junior Civil Defense and told stories of patrolling beaches at night with his mother guarding America’s coast from enemy submarines. His mom became one of “Rosey’s Riveters” for a shipbuilder while his dad joined the Navy teaching recruits about machine tools.
The family moved to Bainbridge Maryland where most Major League Baseball players enlisted. Every afternoon for two years Howard shagged balls for the best players in the world. Howard’s grandson, “Howard Taft the 4th!”, received his collection of signed baseballs and had them authenticated the likes of Stan Musial, Connie Mack, Jim Bunning, Billy Haeft and even a Cy Young signature baseball!
When Howard showed back up to Jacksonville High School after the war, coaches wanted to know who taught him to play ball so well? Howard played on FL State Championship high school baseball and football teams. Upon graduation the Detroit Tigers signed Howard to play AA and AAA baseball from 1948-51. A second broken leg brought him back home again to Jacksonville where he met Betty Rita Cook at a friend’s wedding and married her later that year. Howard graduated an engineer from the University of Tennessee then was stationed in Germany by the ARMY. They had many great adventures in post war Europe.
Howard worked 35 years for Proctor & Gamble’s seed processing plants in NC, AR, MO & TN and was accredited with the only patent ever to improve upon Eli Whitney’s cotton gin. He notably set production records as plant manager for Cascade in St. Louis, MO where he pioneered William Deming’s “Just-In-Time” quality controls. P&G sponsored Howard to study in the Philippines and help guide the 1990’s Luzon soybean harvest inefficiencies.
Howard served the Lord and His church for many years at Second Baptist and he was a 45 year committee volunteer with the St. Jude Golf Tournament. Friends will remember his faithful service through Habitat for Humanity, Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes, the Pumpkin Patch, the Way of the Cross, Annual Prison Ministry Baskets, and many other ministries.
His family will always remember the many great and small things Howard undertook without even being asked. Youth trips, sporting events, his open arms and open home to those in need and the many great times together as a family. Howard was a great friend to those in need. He will be truly missed here on earth but joined in rejoicing in heaven.
Howard’s life testified to Jesus’ lasting admonition, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.” Hebrews 13:1
The family has requested remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Providence Classical Academy, “teaching a Biblical world view.” It was Howard’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations for building their last major addition to the campus: a High School building.
Website: www.pcabossier.org/support-providence *select: Support PCA; Link to Online Giving; and Capital Campaign – High School Building*
or
Website: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/1913b1b4-06a6-40bb-ac86-688688111247
(318) 820-9465 (ext 105)
[email protected]
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The family will receive friends on Saturday December 30 beginning at 1 p.m. with funeral services to be held a 2 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.
