John Howard Prin, age 77, of Eden Prairie, died January 20, 2022. As a child, John loved doing art projects at home, enthusiastically creating things to make his world more fun. That interest led him to film editing in Kansas City, where he met his wife Susan. Always the romantic, his opening line was, “Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” 52 years later, they were still laughing. After they married, they hitchhiked through Europe and Morocco for a year, forming deep friendships, communicating in other languages and (mostly) keeping out of trouble. Home again to Minnesota long enough to pack up, they moved to Los Angeles so John could accept the Oscar that he so desperately wanted for the screenplays he wrote. After 10 years as a property master and set decorator, he left with no Oscar, but with richer treasures: his daughter Emily and a strong growing faith in Jesus Christ.
Back in MN, he wrote speeches for Control Data leadership, ran his own video production business, and eventually faced alcoholism. He joined AA and, determined to help others, earned his Master’s Degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. Helping & mentoring others was in John’s DNA; his faithfulness and deep caring overflowed to everyone he met. He and Susan served as short-term missionaries in Kosovo, traveling there over a dozen times to meet, help, love and learn from many friends. His brighten-up-a-room personality, his words of encouragement and wisdom to young people, quirky humor and sweet tooth were legendary – just like his pockets full of yellow highlighters and blue pens. His eagerness to try something new led to his beginning a blog at age 77. He lived his faith in a welcoming way that encouraged honest questions and dialogue, always showing the love of Christ.
John suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that gradually cuts off oxygen supply. On January 20th, the world lost a joyful, creative, goofy, welcoming, loving soul.
Preceded in death by daughter, Emily Prin; parents Toby and Ellen (Eldien) Prin. Survived by his wife, Susan (Troeller) Prin, grandson William Hunter Prin; twin brother David (LuAnn), Tom (Deanna); 5 nieces and nephews; and many loving family members, friends, and colleagues.
A memorial service will be held Friday, January 28 at 10 am at Hope Church (7132 Portland Ave., Richfield).
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group of MN, P.O. Box 390498, Minneapolis, MN 55439
Huber Funeral & Cremation Services
Eden Prairie Chapel 952-949-9470