Clarence E. (“Jack”) Prince, Jr. had a fruitful, abundant life driven by intellectual curiosity, love of family and friends, and a trust in God whom he truly desired to serve.
As a young Marine in the early days of the Korean War, he was in action in the Pusan Perimeter, the Inchon Landing, and at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea when the Chinese entered the war, where his job was to keep the radio equipment operational to call in air strikes. Fellow Marines said Jack was the key to their survival because without the air strikes, they all would be wiped out. Afterwards he taught electronics at Treasure Island, San Francisco, until his discharge.
He then completed a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Southern Methodist University followed by a year studying at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in preparation for missionary service. During this period he took up the hobby of spelunking. He and his team from Dallas discovered the gorgeous “live” portion of the Caverns of Sonora, cited by the founder of the National Speleological Society, Bill Stephenson, as “the most indescribably Beautiful cave in the world...” Jack was the very first to cross a high ledge labelled “Devil’s Delight” and enter the new wonderland.
He returned to Korea as an educational missionary with his bride Moneta in 1957. He set up basic science departments in a newly established college in Daejeon - now Han Nam University, a major educational institution in Korea. In the past there had been little available higher education in Korea because of the Japanese occupation (1910-1945).
Jack received his Ph.D. at UT in 1964. He taught five years at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, and then returned to Korea as a professor at Soong Sil University in Seoul There he served in many post including Dean of Engineering and Vice-President. Because Korean higher education had become well-developed by the 1980s, Jack decided it was time to find another place where he could serve the Church. In 1984 he and Moneta left for Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga, Central Java, Indonesia, where he taught Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
They treasure the experience and the friendships they made in the 10 years they were there.
After retiring and settling down in Austin, Jack found fulfillment in serving his church and doing volunteer work, including Meals on Wheels. He served as head of the Interfaith Community for Palestinian Rights. He volunteered as a tax consultant for many years, and found immense pleasure in playing golf with his group of good friends.
Jack was born on December 19, 1928 to Clarence E. Prince, Sr. and Helen Davidson Prince in Oklahoma City.
In 1937 the family moved to Wichita Falls and later to Dallas.
He had two sisters, Sara Prince Anastaplo (deceased) and Helen Prince Furlong, and a brother John F. Prince. He married Moneta Speaker in 1956 and had two daughters, Lillian Prince (Austin) and Clara P. Hawkins (Clovis,NM), both born in Korea. Other family members include Lillian’s husband Martin Bandomir, Clara’s husband William J. Hawkins and their children Natasha and her son Zayven Prince, Carl, Danielle, and brother-in-law Richard W. Furlong, sister-in-law Linda Prince, Betty Baldwin and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends from all over the world have sent condolences.
On December 10, 2018 his memorial service was held at Westminster Presbyteruan Church in Austin, TX.
Those wishing to honor his memory in a special way may contribute to Christian Friends of Korea (an organization helping TB and hepatitis patients in North Korea), 129 Center Ave.,Black Mountain, NC 28711, or to Westminster Presbyterian Church’s mission fund.
