John Randolph Prince, Jr.

John Randolph Prince, Jr. passed away in his sleep on the morning of August 12, 2021, on his ninety-second birthday at home in Shawnee. He is survived by his widow, Patricia Adams Prince, and his three sons Rand, Tim and Phil, their wives Elvelina, Kristi, and Olga, thirteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two sisters Jane Prince and Ray Davis. John was preceded in death by his first grandson, Taylor Prince. John was born in Shuqualak, Mississippi. He attended Columbia Military Academy and Mississippi State University, graduating with a degree in civil engineering. Soon thereafter, he entered his country’s service as an officer in the United States Army, and saw action in the Korean War, where he was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for valor. Choosing to make the Army a career, he was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he met and married Patricia. They were married for sixty-five years. He retired after twenty-two years with the rank of Colonel. John was awarded a Masters in Business Administration from Tulane University, and after his retirement from the military began a long second career at Oklahoma Baptist University, where he served as Budget Director and also was a member of the faculty. He was the Title IX officer for the school and an active supporter of women’s sports at OBU. In addition to his time at OBU, John was Business Manager for the Shawnee School District and served for a time on the School Board. John was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. As an adult, he served as a Explorer post leader and as a District Commissioner. John was a very active member of the Kiwanis, where he was President of the local chapter and also held regional office; went on a number of relief missions for the Oklahoma Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief to aid persons in need after natural disasters and after the events of September 11, 2001; and was an active participant in Habitat for Humanity well into his eighties. John was ordained as a deacon at Virginia Hills Baptist Church during a term of service at the Pentagon, and subsequently was a deacon for many other Baptist churches, including University Baptist Church in Shawnee. The funeral service will take place at Walker Funeral and Cremation Service, 201 East 45th Street in Shawnee, on Monday, August 16, 2021, at 10 a.m. Viewing will be Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Due to Covid19, the family requests that masks be worn.