Donald Philip Prince

Donald Philip Prince, lovingly known as “Philip,” was born on February 19, 1980, in Minden, Louisiana. On July 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, he left this world and entered his eternal home with Jesus.

Though life brought many questions, unexpected turns, and seasons of uncertainty, Philip believed our greatest hope was never meant to be found in this world. He knew without hesitation the exact moment his eternal story began. At ten years old, on August 5, 1990, at 10:50 a.m., he accepted Jesus into his heart at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Athens, Louisiana. It was a moment he recounted with confidence for the rest of his life.

His faith was genuine and intentional. He believed in the profound simplicity of fearing God and loving your neighbor. Those beliefs shaped the way he lived, led his family, and loved others. Throughout the years, he worshipped in churches across the communities his family called home—most recently at First Church of God in Homer, Louisiana, where he used his gifts as a talented musician and storyteller to glorify God. Philip believed life's truest blessing was knowing Jesus and the promise of one day being with Him in Heaven. Today, his family grieves with hope, finding peace in the same promises that anchored Philip.

Philip spent his early childhood in Homer, Louisiana, where the foundations of his character were first formed. As his family settled near beautiful Lake Claiborne, it became the place he truly called home and where many of his most treasured childhood memories were made. There he developed a lifelong love for hunting, fishing, boating, water skiing, and exploring the outdoors. He especially treasured time with his grandmothers, whose love and influence became an enduring part of who he was.

Many of his childhood days were spent at his family's beloved lakeside restaurant, Port-Au-Prince—or simply "the Fish House," as Philip always called it. It was there that he learned the value of hard work while serving customers alongside his family. Whether working at the restaurant or alongside his father in the logging woods, Philip learned early that hard work was both a privilege and a responsibility. Even as a young boy, his entrepreneurial spirit was impossible to miss. He delivered groceries to senior citizens in his little wagon, started a firewood business, gave water-skiing lessons, and even offered boat tours on Lake Claiborne.

After graduating from Mt. Olive Christian School in Athens, Louisiana, Philip earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 2003. His exceptional test scores and academic achievements earned him the Honors Award Scholarship—the university's highest academic scholarship at the time—along with several additional scholarships. God blessed Philip with an extraordinary mind—one that was endlessly curious, analytical, and innovative. He was never satisfied with simply knowing what worked; he wanted to understand why. Friends affectionately referred to him as a "human calculator" and a "human GPS" because of his instinctive sense of direction, remarkable ability to solve complex problems in his head, and his determination to find solutions. 

Though Philip earned a degree in mechanical engineering, his heart ultimately led him in a different direction. He moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where his uncle, Danny, introduced him to the world of long-term care at Princeton Place. There, Philip completed the extensive coursework, Administrator-in-Training program, and state licensing examination required to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. While working closely with the VA healthcare system, he developed a deep respect for serving veterans and began dreaming of one day owning and leading a nursing facility of his own. His dedication, vision, and leadership quickly distinguished him. He was selected to participate in the American Health Care Association's Future Leaders in Long Term Care program, a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional promise in the field of long-term care.

It was there that Philip also met Ericka. They were married in 2008 and moved to Irving, Texas, where together they founded Avante Rehabilitation Center. Working side by side, Philip and Ericka built the company into a highly respected healthcare organization known for compassionate care and excellence. During those years, God blessed them with the three greatest gifts of their lives: their daughter, Preslee, born in 2011; their son, Patton, born in 2012; and their youngest son, Pason, born in 2019. Each was born in Irving, Texas, where their family took root and flourished.

Philip brought an engineer's mind and a servant's heart to healthcare. He was known for solving problems, continually improving the quality of care for residents, and investing in the employees who served them. His leadership earned the respect of federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, where he became known among many surveyors as "The Legend." State surveyors often joked that Philip and Ericka were the "Chip and Joanna Gaines of healthcare" as they transformed their facility into a place where residents, families, and employees could truly thrive.

His influence extended well beyond the walls of the facility. Philip served as President of the Irving Heritage Society, often spoke before the Irving City Council, collaborated on interdisciplinary care initiatives with Baylor Scott & White, and was actively involved with Irving Christian Anglers, where he enjoyed encouraging others through his faith and love of the outdoors. Despite his many leadership roles, he remained personally involved in the daily lives of the residents, families, and employees he faithfully served.

Perhaps nowhere was Philip's character more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. As uncertainty gripped long-term care facilities across the country, he chose to move into the facility so he could lead by example alongside his team. When additional resident rooms became necessary, he moved into a travel trailer in the parking lot and lived there for 2 and a half months. Though separated from his family, he remained connected through daily drive-bys and FaceTime calls. He led all those entrusted to his care with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment.

After successfully guiding Avante through one of healthcare's most challenging seasons, Philip and Ericka knew it was time for a new chapter. They stepped away from healthcare and the Dallas–Fort Worth area to spend intentional time together as a family while prayerfully considering the future.

Much of that season was spent on their cherished property in De Kalb, Texas, affectionately known as "Dux Deluxe." There, Philip found great joy in stewarding the land he loved. He devoted countless hours to improving the duck habitat, opening the property to family and friends, and dreaming about what the future might hold.

Philip was a true outdoorsman whose adventurous spirit and love for God's creation were woven throughout his life. He found joy in every adventure the outdoors had to offer. Whether spending crisp mornings in the duck blind, calling in spring gobblers, fishing everything from local ponds to competing in major Texas bass tournaments, packing into the high country on horseback in pursuit of elk, or skiing black diamond slopes, Philip felt most at home in God's creation. He loved both the adventure it offered and the quiet stillness found there, where he felt especially close to God and was continually reminded of His majesty. He treasured sharing those experiences with family and friends.

In 2022, Philip reinvented himself once again by entering the oil and gas industry. He quickly adapted, embraced the work, and formed lasting friendships with those around him. Philip never met a stranger. He was a fast friend and had a remarkable ability to connect with people from every walk of life. Many of those friendships spanned decades and crossed several state lines. The countless lives he touched stand as a testament to the kind of man he was. Most recently, Philip worked for Baker Hughes, where the support, compassion, and encouragement he received throughout his cancer journey became an unexpected blessing to him and his family.

Yet of all the roles Philip embraced throughout his life, none brought him greater joy than being a husband and father. His family was the center of his world, and everything he did was driven by a desire to provide for, protect, and prepare them for life. He believed one of his greatest responsibilities was to mentor his children—not only through his words, but by the example he set each day. Even through his illness, Philip's priorities never changed. Though treatments were exhausting and the physical demands often overwhelming, he continued to show up for his family. He pushed himself to attend his children's activities, to offer guidance, to share life's lessons, and to make every moment count. In his final days, Philip sought to leave them with every lesson, every encouragement, and every expression of love he could.

His life was marked by unwavering faith, humble service, steadfast leadership, an adventurous spirit, and an extraordinary love for his family. He faithfully showed up—again and again—for the people God entrusted to him, and that legacy will continue to shape generations to come.

Philip was preceded in death by his mother, Paige Patton Prince.

He is survived by his wife of eighteen years, Ericka Prince; their children, Preslee Prince, Patton Prince, and Pason Prince; his father, Donny Prince; his siblings, Casey Prince and Lizzie Rentz (Michael); and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

A Memorial Service to honor Philip's life will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Homer, Louisiana. Visitation with the family will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will continue following the service.

Though our hearts ache, we gather with hope to honor Philip's life and celebrate that he is whole in his eternal home with Jesus. If Philip were here, he would simply say, "Come as you are." Whether that means bright colors, boots, blue jeans, camouflage, or your Sunday best, we invite you to join us as we celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the PHILIP PRINCE MEMORIAL FUND established to benefit his children, Preslee, Patton, and Pason, at any B1 Bank location. Those wishing to honor Philip's legacy through a charitable gift may also consider supporting Pilots for Patients or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the many people who faithfully walked alongside Philip and our family throughout this journey. We will remember every act of kindness and hold so many names close in our hearts. While it is impossible to recognize each person individually, we would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Tyler Lash; Dr. Eddie Moss; the many physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals who cared for Philip with such compassion; Kim Klug and our Cedar Creek family; Danny and Lenn Prince; Ayden and John Buckley; Albert Tucker; Pilots for Patients and the many volunteer pilots who served our family; our family near and far; our church family; and the countless friends who prayed faithfully, gave generously, helped steward Philip's beloved land, prepared meals, and carried our burdens alongside us. We will never forget the many ways God used each of you to bless our family.