Dates
John Wesley Prentice, a beloved husband, father and friend passed away peacefully at his home on December 6, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born March 5, 1944, in Colorado City, Tx to parents Linam and Pearl Prentice. He married Mancy in 1963, and they had one daughter, Angelia, the love of his life. A loving friend, Barbara, and a very special cat companion, Abby. He graduated from Cross Plains High School in 1963.
He had a natural sense of direction all it took was one time and he could remember how to get there or where it was. His dad was an evangelist for 54 years, during that time they went to Slaton, Tx to pastor an Evangelical Methodist church. The church happened to be the one Mancy attended. One day John asked Mancy if she wanted to go get a coke, and she said yes. Three months later, they decided to elope and go to Acuna Mexico to get married because Mancy was only 15 ½ years old, they knew they would not get permission from their parents. They left them a note in the mailbox stating, “by the time you read this note, we will already be married”. The school rebel was sitting in front of Mancy in class, and she asked him if he wanted to be a witness for the wedding and he said yes. One month after they were married in Mexico they got married in the states with John’s dad as officiating. In 1970 he was transferred to Salt Lake City, Utah while working for Litton Systems building the “black box” for airplanes. He has always had a passion for cars. When he was a kid, he would get his parents to take him to watch circle track stock car racing. From watching stock car racing, to owning and driving multiple Sprint cars for the next 6 years. He returned to San Angelo in 1976, where, John’s love for cars led him to a job at Goodyear Proving Grounds for 28 years. After 60 years of marriage with God, love never fails.
He was the best earthly dad a daughter could have. He was kind, gentle, loving, patient, strong and genuine. He let me be me. He was always there for me no matter what time of day or night. We would go to baseball games and car shows. We would go see the “Outlaws” race, which is a professional Sprint car racing circuit. We would go in the “pitts” after the race and he would tell me about the cars and the different types of tracks. He preferred clay tracks, “they had better traction”, he would say. We would have silly string fights (he would always win). He taught me how to take care of my car. He always showed me unconditional love, over and over. I am thankful that my heavenly Father chose him to be my dad.
He gave his life to the Lord while attending a youth camp. In John’s spiritual journey with God, the Lord lead Mancy and him to the Garden School of Ministry in 2008, to be equipped in His word and work. While there his relationship with the Lord grew beyond bounds. He was also involved in Providence Outreaches, feeding and praying for the homeless. He loved the “Treasure Hunts” going out and finding someone to show the Father’s love and pray for them. John and Mancy had a cell group in their home, ministering, teaching, discipling, mentoring to all who came. John was a quiet man but when he spoke it was profound. He would always encourage others as lead by The Holy Spirit. He loved to worship his heavenly father. He was a man of God! His life was gloriously transformed and he experienced tremendous growth as never before, in the revelation knowledge of the love of the Father, in Jesus Christ and Holy Spirt.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the staff at Angelo Home Care for the excellent loving care and compassion they showed to John. The family would also like to thank Concho Hearts Hospice for their kindness, encouragement, support and compassion even though he was only here for a short time.
Serving as pallbearers will be Alan Pelzel, Nat Leon, Dow Ferguson, Manny Torres, Brint Harmon, Kevin McSpadden.
The celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10:00AM at the Garden Gathering Church located at 1700 N. Chadbourne. Harper Funeral Home will be affiliating.