Ronald Wayne Prince, 71

Ronald Wayne Prince of Eureka passed on Feb. 1, 2016, from end stage multiple systems atrophy. His wife of 52 years, Joyce Prince, and daughter, Davina Prince, were at his side as he passed peacefully in North Valley Hospital. His other daughter, Dawn Eddings Prince, kept vigil as well from her home in Southern Illinois, where Ron was born on June 26, 1944. 

He is survived by his friend and son-in-law, Gregg Alexander, husband to Davina; and his grandson, Teryk Prince-Hughes, son of Dawn. 

We who remember Ron think of his giving nature — so many times he fixed furnaces for low income and elderly people without charge; his love of animals, like the time he poured his warm coffee around the feet of a cat abandoned and frozen to a Dumpster; his love of space and science fiction, which came out in the stories he told his daughters — fantastic tales that always started, “Once upon a time there were two little girls.” 

When our family was young, he came up with “The Magical Jumping Spot” which was an ordinary bank of a stream near our property. He led us in jumping over the creek for hours, believing we could really fly. 

“Now we hope that his spirit soars from its own Magical Jumping Spot and joins the great joy of a loving universe.”

No formal services are planned and a memorial to celebrate Ron’s life will be announced at a later date.