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Prentiss Yancey Obituary
No one could tell a story like Prentiss Q. Yancey Jr. No matter how short or long, sad or happy, frivolous or remarkable, there was usually an "UNBELIEVABLE" or two in the telling along with pauses for effect or questions.
Prentiss loved storytelling, mysteries, novels and movies. He loved people and always cautioned against judging anyone "unless you've walked a mile in their moccasins."
He was born in Atlanta, Georgia August 20,1944 to Johnnie and P.Q. Yancey– the first of four boys, all of whom would go on to become doctors and lawyers.
Prentiss spent some of his formative years at St. John's Prep, a boarding school in Massachusetts, and then graduated from Villanova University in 1966. He studied law and received his JD from Emory University. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and joined the law firm Smith, Gambrell and Russell where he became a partner and practiced law for nearly three decades.
During that time he led contract negotiations in the merger of the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association in 1976 and was part of the legal team that launched the cable network Turner Broadcasting System. He loved representing sports athletes, some of whom became lifelong friends. He loved working with media and telecom companies. Eventually he left the firm to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.
What Prentiss enjoyed most about business and law was the people he got to know and work with over the years. He loved learning their stories and many of those people became lifelong friends too. He enjoyed playing golf and hosting dinners with friends from all over the world. He had a gift for bringing people together.
He would say "learn to recognize success and failure as the imposters they both are" because he knew that both are double-sided vehicles that could go in unlikely directions.
Prentiss passed away November 28, 2021 at the age of 77. He is survived by three brothers– Labat, Michael and Gerald Yancey, three children– Quinn, Crissy and Schuyler Yancey, and two grandchildren.
Prentiss Yancey will be honored in a memorial service at Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors Friday December 10, 2021.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Prentiss Yancey
Sponsored by Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors, Inc..
Katherine Chiucchini
October 11, 2022
To Quin, Crissy, Schuyler and all the friends who knew and loved "Prenny": I sent Prentiss a text last weekend with a video of my firepit running and asked how he was enjoying Fall and thanked him once again for the new laptop he bought for me 9 years ago when I began my real
estate career. When he hadn´t answered I thought to Google him and was surprised at his passing. We had a conversation about a year ago just to catch up and I now know it was our last.
We were friends for over 15 years and played at least 50 rounds of golf at all his courses including special rounds with "Mackie" which were my favorite. Prenny gifted me a new set of clubs when the lighter weight irons became popular and was always so genteel and generous. We spent many an evening enjoying dinner, bowling and spending time with friends over those years.
He loved to cook special meals and was exceptional as a host! He was a key figure in my life and helped my daughters with a lot of sage advice.
Rest In Peace my friend. As I often said before ending a call in recent years, "I love you".
Cynthia James
August 27, 2022
I just found out about Prentiss's death and I am heartbroken to have received this news. Prentiss was a dear friend of mine for many, many years.
The deep love he possessed for his children and for their well being and education was paramount in his life. His grandchildren were the apple of his eye. With great delight he'd send me pictures and videos of the boys with their Dad & Mom, which I loved to receive as I re-lived the joy that I felt when my daughter was born.
Prentiss, along with Tom K, were instrumental in enabling my daughter's acceptance into the private school she attended for high school in Boston, MA with 100% paid tuition. From there my daughter was accepted to several top Universities in the Country, finally, settled upon Columbia U in NYC. Prentiss advised my daughter every step along the way, whether she wanted to hear it or not ( ! ) Lol.
Prentiss was a great man, with a heart that felt the sufferings of those less fortunate in our world.
This is something which we all need to begin to participate in. For Prentiss, this was part of his nature.
I loved him and I am a better human being because of him.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Cynthia James
Jack Cooney
May 1, 2022
I knew Prentiss at Villanova and always enjoyed his company - warm, engaging and bright. Sorry to learn of his passing.
Joyce Essien
March 16, 2022
Conveying my sympathies for the loss of a gentleman, scholar and colleague who invested in friendships and contributed to efforts to advance a just and " civil" society . He will be missed.
Joyce Essien, MD, MBA
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Marshall B Thomas
December 24, 2021
Yancey family my condolences on the passing of Prentiss always I considered him a big brother and role model.
Rita and Lewin Manly
December 14, 2021
Our hearts go out to you all. God bless.
Mary Ann Mobley
December 11, 2021
My sympathy and love to Crissy, Quinn and Schuyler. Prentiss was a lovely man and loved his children above all else. What a man....&
Robert (Bo) S McMann
December 9, 2021
Sad news.
I was a classmate of PQ's at both St John's Prep and Villanova. We also ran on the track team together at the prep. He was a terrific person to have known. A true gentleman if ever there was one. My sincere condolences to the Yancy family for their loss.
John B. Butts
December 8, 2021
To the Yancey Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of such a wonderful person as PQ.
Track practices would not have been the same without PQ and his 'sea& ski'.
Rest in peace ,my friend.
Bob Erbetta, '62
December 7, 2021
My thoughts and prayers for PQ's family and friends. He was a great Prep runner and always epitomized the perfect southern gentleman in every way. He will be greatly missed at our SJP '62 reunions!
Andy Warner, SJP '62 classmate
December 7, 2021
Condolences and prayers for the Yancey family.
Porsha Maynard
December 7, 2021
I never met Prentiss but I felt as though I knew him through his brother Labat whom I have come to love as a true friend. If Prentiss was anything like Labat , I´m sure he was liked and loved by so many . Charming , witty, highly intellectual , humorous, kind and so very down to earth and just fun to be around . My deepest condolences to the Yancey family at this time . RIH Prentiss from my family to yours
Thomas W Itin
December 6, 2021
Quinn, Crissy and Schuyler
It was great to call Prentiss our friend and counsel. He will always be a fond memory. He was a world class negotiator and legal mind.
You have all three done him proud!
Prentiss, may you rest in peace!
Tom and Shirley
Wendell Hackney
December 5, 2021
May Prentiss Rest In Peace and God bless the family
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