DON PRINE

Don Prine Born in Ellsworth, Wisconsin on November 22, 1917, Don passed away on at great peace on March 22, 2015 at the age of 97-1/3. As the second eldest of 5 children of August and Dorothy Prine, he helped on the family farm and assisted his father in his construction business of building bridges. During the Great Depression he joined the Conservation Corps, which provided infrastructure for the country. He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, and during his service he was awarded the Purple Heart. Don owned and operated Prine's Jeep Service in Tillicum for 52 years along with his son Donnie. While in the Navy, he had his first contact with the jeep while serving under Admiral Sharp, one of only three star Admirals in the service at the time. Don was the Admiral's mechanic for his personal jeep. As the jeeps came off the assembly line, they were shipped to Washington, DC, where Don's unit was in charge of distributing them throughout the United States for overseas use. President Roosevelt became a believer in the jeep and its role in the victory of World War II after Don drove it up the White House steps to prove how awesome the jeep was. His biggest passion was those jeeps he saw in 1942 - the Bantam, Willys, and Fords. Dad loved his family, jeeps, and hunting. He enjoyed Sunday dinners with his children and working on the race jeeps because "that next race is coming up quick and we gotta be ready." Don is survived by his sons Randy and Keith, daughter Diana, and grandson Alex. He was preceded in death by his son Donnie. Special thanks to Gentiva nurses Chris, Cassie, Julissa, and Amanda for all their wonderful care and support. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, March 28th, at Fir Lane Funeral Home, 924 E. 176th St. in Spanaway. Please drive your 4WD's and come in your PNW gear. Throughout his lifetime Dad was grateful for his friendship with so many people. Miss You Dad!