Robert Glenn Prince, age 64. (I wanted to use a picture where I looked young and handsome not one where I was old and ugly, because believe me I got old and ugly. We all do! Ha!) One of the few advantages of a lengthy hospital stay, is you have the time to think about the possibility of your own demise. And the bizarre opportunity to write or help participate in the compiling of your own obituary.
(Below is a weird combination of Robert’s first person account, and Ginger, Robert’s sister writing his obituary.)
On October 3, 1997 Robert’s beautiful and vibrant 17 year old daughter, Jill Denise Prince was callously taken from him, by a reprehensible drunk driver. (She had just started her Senior year and was actually living with her Dad for the first time in many, many years). It would be an understatement to say his heart was broken, the truth is his world was completely and utterly shattered. Robert began an internal conflict with life and an external battle with those in it. He continued his fight against living and from that day forward if, and when, he would find a small bit of contentment or joy, his guilt would overcome him, and he would begin to sabotage his own happiness and that of those around him. You see, he felt guilty for being happy, in his mind’s eye he thought because Jill had died that he didn’t deserve happiness. That he should be in mourning the rest of his life. Robert said, “Only those who have lost a child would understand this.”
Through the years Robert loved some wonderful women and they loved him back. He wanted to acknowledge that he could have done better and he should have tried harder.
Robert occasionally found himself on the outlaw side of the legalities in life and he did some things he wasn’t exactly proud of. But he confessed his sins, asked for forgiveness and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Robert finally quit fightin’ life on August 23, 2023, with his brother Ken by his side holding his hand, comforting him, supporting him. Just like always….
Absent from his body and present with Our Lord and Savior, his body whole and strong again he ran to his precious baby girl, wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug that had been 25 years in the making, instantly filling him with the peace that had missing in this mortal life healing him heart, mind, and soul.
He was surrounded by his Daddy, Bobby Ray Prince.
Momma, Earleane Brown Baggett,
Stepdad, Socky Baggett,
His grandparents,
Owen and Bertha Sanders Prince,
Robert Lee Brown and May Mayfield Brown Rouse and Roy Rouse,
Many beloved Aunts and Uncles,
Much loved and missed cousins,
Generations passed and yet to know.
Now the sad part those I’m leaving behind:
My old sister Ginger, my very favorite sibling, (I told him I was his favorite every day at the hospital) besides he made me put old; Ken (Ita) he’s always been there for me. Always, especially since I’ve been in this damn hospital. Ken you’re actually my favorite (I made Ginger write this and told her to erase that other crap), Brandie (Waymon) my fishing buddy, thank you for taking up for me, and lovin’ my Milly, Jamie, follow our dreams, Bubba.
I gotta add Linda, my lil’ sis, you are the very best, and her ol’ man Gene has been a great brother, too.
I’ve got a passel of the smartest, best lookin’ nieces and nephews, I love all y’all.
Reckon my cousins are all better than most.
Stepmom, Frankie Jo Powers, I didn’t make it easy but you loved me anyway. Back at cha’
And Uncle Wayne, I appreciate you.
Too many awesome friends to mention but y’all all know who you are.
Robert Glenn Prince was born January 21, 1959, in Decatur Alabama. He graduated from Emmet High School, Emmet, Arkansas in 1977. He worked as a roughneck in the west Texas oilfields.
In 1981 at Eiseman Chemical Institute in Greely Colorado he became a Drilling Fluids Consultant. (Mud Engineer AKA Mud Man) and he worked in the oilfields of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania making friends wherever he went. He was a good friend and made lifelong friendships.
Robert was the kind of friend who would be there to help you with anything you needed do one. As long as you did it his way. If you argued with him about how to get it done or which way to do it, or if you disagreed about how to get it done then…… adios!
Because it was his way, or he was hittin’ the highway.
Robert was an electrician, plumber, carpenter, tile layer, mechanic, “Jack of all Trades” and if he didn’t know how to do it he’d figure it out on his own.
Robert could be a hard man. Ask anyone who knew him, he had a foul mouth, he was short tempered, and at times he could be very unforgiving. But was Robert a man worth knowing? Yes! Ask anyone who knew him. Anyone! He was giving, helpful, and at times he was even loving.
Unfortunately, he was always foul-mouthed!
Robert will be missed by those he left behind and remembered into the tomorrows by those of us who loved him.
Yes Brother, you ARE first, but we will see you in the by and by.
