Douglas Lee Prinz

He loved life. He lived life. Born Sunday, November 13, 1960, Douglas Lee Prinz (Doug) spent his whole life in Elgin, Texas and seldom ventured outside Bastrop County. Except to hunt and fish, his life was devoted to family, friends and community.

Known as Coach Doug by many, he had coached soccer, Little League baseball and football providing knowledge, support and love. Doug served in the Elgin Volunteer Fire Department from the time he was a teenager, and as the Fire Chief for a number of years. Members of that department named him as its Most Outstanding Fireman 7 times. In the Central Texas Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ organization he served in each position of its administration, finally serving as its President in 2001-2002. He held those same offices in the Texas State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association during that same time period. Doug represented Bastrop County on the Lost Pines Underground Water District Board and worked diligently for 14 years to protect the water resources of this area.

When you talk barbecue in Elgin, Texas, you automatically think Doug Prinz. The shelves in his home are lined with trophies he and his teams, Fire in the Hole and Elgin Hot Links earned. Along with his dear friends David Fenske and Gordon Swenson, he established the Elgin Hogeye Festival cookoff that has continued for 33 years. Doug also contributed mightily to the start and establishment of the Elgin Firemen’ s ‘You Light ‘em, We Fight ‘em’ annual barbecue cookoff.

Any of the many members of the Prinz family descendants will quickly identify Doug as the president of the family for 27 years when he prepared their meals, served as auctioneer and held the family together through annual reunions.

Waterman01 worked in the city’s water/wastewater for 26 years, heading up that department for the majority of those years through the drilling of new water wells and the latest addition of a wastewater plant extension to provide service to the 8500 new rooftops projected for Elgin.

Doug struggled through more than a year of pain and agony as he valiantly fought Renal Cell Carcinoma, continuing to work and take care of his obligations, saying, “I will not quit fighting.” And he did not quit. He went to sleep quietly in the early morning hours of April 29 at his home on North Ave C. His family, including Judith L. Sanders, his mother; Kyle D. Prinz, his son and his girlfriend, Emily Hall-Clark; Lisa Prinz Crawford, his sister and her husband, Chris and their son, Marc; Sue Prinz Brashar, his sister and her husband John and their daughter, Paige gathered around to help him in his fight.

Alton O. Prinz, his father, and Whitney J. Crawford, his niece, preceded Doug in death.

Pallbearers named to help Doug finish his journey are Randy “Moose” Belz, Chris Crawford, Phil Hilbig, Mitchell Schroeder, Wesley Burgdorf, Joe Nelson, Gene Muery and Flint “Bucket” Fisher. Honorary pallbearers include John Brashar, Beau Perry, Gary Cooke and the City of Elgin Water/Wastewater staff. Special thanks from Doug and all our family goes to Matt Cline, Kristina Burgdorf and all of those who provided transportation and support to the many appointments and needs during this time.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, May 3, at 2 pm, with Marc Crawford officiating at the Elgin City Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 10 am to 6 pm at Providence-Jones Funeral Home in Elgin. The family will accept visitors at Doug’s favorite spot, “The Porch” on Saturday during viewing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the newly created Doug Prinz Hogeye Master Cook Memorial fund, c/o First National Bank, Elgin. Donations may be made online or over the phone, (512) 285-5050.