Source: http://porterloring.tributes.com/obituary/show/Charles-Ray-Prince-106002637

Mr. Charles Ray Prince, Sr.
May 10, 1928 - April 7, 2018

Charles Ray Prince, Sr., was born in Breckenridge, Texas on May 10, 1928. Later in life, he and his family would take great amusement that he was born the same year Mickey Mouse debuted. His collection of Mickey memorabilia would rival his historical collection.

Charles and his family moved around Texas until he was about 12 years old, when he settled down in Conroe, Texas with his parents, Charles A. Prince and Imogene Lipe Prince, and three younger brothers, Bill, BJ, and Tom. As the eldest child, Charles grew up in small-town, Depression-era Texas with little else but the love of his family. He played football in high school, losing a few teeth along the way.

He attended Rice University, where he majored in chemistry as part of a pre-medicine program. Deciding that a doctor's life was not for him, he worked for a time putting up power lines around Conroe. He began preaching in 1949, got married, and transferred to Abilene Christian College, earning his BA degree, and began to pursue a career in ministry. He did graduate work at Abilene Christian University earning a double Master's Degree. He also studied at Harvard Divinity School.

In 1950, he married Mina Hayes and started a family. For more than 40 years, he moved his family around America to various churches as he carried out God's will in preaching the Word. Battle Creek, Michigan, Brookline, Massachusetts, and Fairfax, Virginia, were stops on the family's journey. After his children had grown and moved out, he and Mina spent time on the missionary field in places ranging from South Africa to Guatemala. Although he retired from full-time ministry in 1992, he continued to work with Oak Hills Church in San Antonio in various positions for the remainder of his life.

In semi-retirement, he taught Greek and Bible on a college level. He provided counseling services in his church community. Taking his love for writing and delivering thoughtful and heartfelt sermons, he began writing a book about opening a dialogue between scientists and theologians. With the help of friends, he saw his book published in 2009. While not a major seller, the experience inspired him to complete the final project of his life, a new translation of the New Testament from original texts, which will see publication soon.

Charles was a strong believer in family, and he took every opportunity to spend time with his. His first grandchild was born in 1979, and his first great-grandchild came along in 2008. Through marriages and births, his family grew, as did his love and appreciation for every member. He performed weddings for his daughter, son, grandson, and niece, actively participating in the growth of his family. He made everyone in his family, whether by birth or marriage or adoption, feel loved and welcome in his life.

With his passing, Charles Prince leaves behind a legacy of learning, ministry, and love for his family and for his fellow man few could hope to match. He is survived by his wife, Mina; their son, Charles Prince, Jr. (Chuck) and daughter-in-law, Kathy Morrow; their daughter Julie Clem and son-in-law, David; and their daughter, Terri Prince. He is also survived by grandchildren, Anna Bailey and husband Dennis, Christian Clem and wife Michelle, Stephanie Clem, Austin Clem and wife Mary Ellen, Josie Prince and wife Elizabeth, Celia Prince, and Alessa Prince; and great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Clem, Tanner Clem, Jackson Clem, and John Edwin Bailey; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

Rest in peace, Charles Prince.

SERVICE
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018
10:00 AM
OAK HILLS CHURCH
19595 FRONTAGE ROAD
SAN ANTONIO, TX

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018
1:00 PM
CONROE MEMORIAL PARK
1600 PORTER ROAD
CONROE, TX

In lieu of flowers Oak Hills Crownridge Campus is accepting donations for the library, for books for scholarly study for all (https://oakhillschurch.com/CR)