My dearest Kelly,
Thinking of you every day and always of the love, life and adventures we shared. You are forever with me; a big part of of who I am, and will be remembered and loved as long as I have breath on this earth. You are still my hero, my knight in shining armor, my biggest encourager. The cherished memories of your hugs, smiles and roaring laughter will always make me smile. I love you with an everlasting, eternal love.

Leaving for Mexico today on your heavenly birthday remembering all our Ecuadorian adventures .. I know you’re here with us in spirit !!! Miss you buddy !!

Happy Heavenly Birthday my precious husband.....I miss you more every day. I can only imagine what it is like for you there. Sending my love to you in a whisper and a prayer. Always thinking of you....

Never Forgotten Ranger Buddy!

My darling Kelly,
You are always in my thoughts, my prayers, my heart. I will love you for eternity. I miss your smile and laugh that could light up a room, your hugs, and our conversations. I miss your kisses and encouragement. I miss being in your arms. I miss my best friend and lover. I believe in heaven, and that you are with our Father God, and I Can Only Imagine what it must be like. You are forever missed my sweet man.

Miss you Kelly gone way too soon but loved the time we shared ! Forever in our memories! ❤️

Today is the sixth year of your passing. I feel the stabbing pains in my heart as if it just happened. I try to think of you being at peace, in a place so wondrous that I can't even imagine the beauty that surrounds you there. It's the only way I can move forward at all. I know you watch over me, and want me to be happy, just like I would with you; but I still want to be in your arms. I will always love you; you live on in my memories and my heart forever. Rest in peace, my darling.

I miss you every day my love. Today is your birthday in heaven and my heart aches. I try to be strong, and it's very difficult living a life without you here with me. I feel you in the breeze on my face; when the sun peeks through the clouds, when I see a majestic bird in the sky....you are in every love song, every laugh, and all of the memories that flood my dreams and mind. You will never be forgotten. I can only imagine what heaven must be like and I'm so happy that one day I will be reunited with you there. Forever & ever my love.

What I can finally say, and it's "classy", is that Kelly Prince was actually Class Leader at R.I.P. the whole cycle plus I.G. hold. We were co-class leaders, and Kelly was my class leader 1983. I am still following orders, running around doing good, and First Sgt. Fox's soccer team holds a 25 yr. rec/dev state ranking here in Colorado with no losing seasons. (Competitive has plenty of good coaches. The underdogs don't.)
To this day, I could jump out the side of a C-130 to give last rites of first aid. Kelly was and is one fine person. Miss him to this day, and the other good news is that my best friend from the 23d Mech Inf., Larry Wallace, is right here in Denver and doing great. I had a one-of-a-kind experience, but know this - when I served, the 1/75 Airborne Rangers, U.S. Army, were goodness from the top down. No "bad guys" allowed.
Ranger Kelly Prince was the epitome of what a good person and a good Ranger should be. My angel wings are in my wallet, btw. I ran to the Emerson fire here in Denver a couple of weeks ago in my minister shirt, collar, and Reebok desert boots because I knew people were dying.
First Sergeant, if you're still around, and are reading this, my promotion to full Private down from PFC (no OCS for this kid...) has been a success (as I think one or two of you somehow know : ). And the chapter and Barrows Dunham have worked out great! ; )
Fr. Michael Gallagher, 11C, Airborne, 1982-1983.
Ranger Kelly Prince is watching from above and fighting evil at the same time. Kelly was my roommate at R.I.P. The best.

And some of it is hairy. Uno.

Gallagher. Class Leader with Kelly at RIP. Blown away. Very sad. First Sergeant Fox - your youth soccer teams here in Colorado are ranked statewide in the 25 year (50 seasons) category. Still following orders and serving Good. Kelly - see you when I static line up there down the road. PFC "Geronomo" Gallagher. (Indeh) "Roadguard"

The video that was shown at his memorials...created by his nephew, Caleb Grisham. Thank you to everyone who attended the services; Arkanas, Georgia and Ecuador. The song that is being played on this site was written and sung by his sister, Chana Prince Caylor.."Eternal Lovesong".

https://youtu.be/GKnHIxKiN0A

Ludovic CLAVIER
Mar 14

Dear Gayla,

I was quite shocked and saddened when I learnt that Kelly recently passed away. I have known you two since 2011 when I first came to Cotacachi. Within hours, our personalities got along as I was coping with the challenge of purchasing my house from Christina Denison. We would understand each other. I remember that we had some good laughs together. You were my tenants for years and took great care of my house. During my last visit in Cotacachi, Kelly invited me to go for a hike up some volcano or something. Because I was running out of time and was so out of shape, to my regret, I declined, thinking that I would be back soon and that there would be other chances for us to experience more of the outdoors together. Kelly was upbeat, energetic, adventurous, a go-getter, fair and understanding, open to share his opinion with honesty. Having all these qualities, Kelly was definitely someone, whom I was looking up to. For all these years, I have come to appreciate both of you all the more and the mere thought of having you two one day in the future as neighbours at Colonia El Batan has always boosted me to pursue my personal goals in that direction. Cotacachi will never be the same in my eyes.


Gayla, I am sending you my heartfelt compassion.

Take good care,
Ludovic.

Since most of the readers probably don’t know me personally I want to start with a few words about myself. I live in the same neighborhood here in Ecuador and I have a brain and neck injury from a car accident. Before that I used to fly paragliders including some aerobatics and ride motorcycles to an “Iron butt” level. So - while there were certainly several stories to share with Kelly because of that common background… all of that is long gone history because today I am very limited in what I can do. And while I was always interested in learning some kind of self defense technique – I did not believe that there was anything I still could do now because vertigo and balance are some of my problems. When a small martial arts school opened here in Cotacachi Kelly talked some neighbors and me into learning self defense. My brain was often running on overdrive trying to understand and remember the movements he showed… and trying several of them caused me ending up on the floor mat…. But Kelly always found a simple combination of movements for me that I could use to – hopefully - get out of a critical situation if ever needed some day. He had an amazing way of understanding what my limitations are and to work a way around those and to explain the mechanics of these movements very well…
One day before the actual class he wanted to try another movement idea before presenting it to the group and since I was standing close he asked me to hold the dummy gun for him pretending an attack. In class we usually let go easily but I grinned and kept holding onto the gun. He grinned back and before I even knew it I was flipped onto the mat by him while he made very sure I did not hit my head… He grinned again and said something like …”Yeah – I guess that would work too” and we were both laughing out loud ((-;

He is greatly missed for many, many reasons….

It took me a while to come to terms with Kelly not being my next door
neighbor any longer here in Ecuador. I met Kelly and Gayla about 2 years ago and they were caring people whom I enjoyed living next to.
I am an avid gardner and when things started growing at first, I was constantly in the garden. Kelly would come outside and say: Another day in Paradise...I found a T-shirt soon thereafter and wore it while working in the garden at times. Made him laugh. Soon thereafter he started calling me Weed Woman for the many weeds I constantly had to pull. I loved it and it stuck. Kelly also rescued me one morning when possible thieves tried to break into my house and barricaded the door. He, agile and strong as he was, jumped over the wall, opened my door and fixed it.
I have a difficult time looking at the house every day that is now sad and without Kelly. I sleep better finally but will never forget one of my few favorite neighbors. Gayla, I hope you find peace and will remember, as I do, the great memories. You have so many more memories that you built with Kelly over the years. I enjoyed listening to the happy stories of both your past while you were here for the sad event a few weeks ago. So, let them give you strength and, eventually, peace.
Fondly,
Mia

The last time I saw him was on the sidewalk leaving the uniform shop at Benning in the fall of 1990. He was walking in the rain toward me and saluted. I returned the salute and as we got closer we recognized each other. He said Bingham they made you an officer and I said well I was last on the list and someone has to do it. We split a bottle of water and caught up on each others careers. All The Way Brother!

Gayla, I'm so glad y'all visited our house a couple years back, giving us a very nice reunion.
I've so many great memories with Kelly and will always remember his strength and quick laugh. I remember skipping PT one morning to go pick up his brand new Pontiac Fiero. I remember us keeping each other alert in Grenada. I look forward to seeing him again - after all, we have faith.

I met Kelly and Gayla during an intense 5 day training which encompassed getting to know your true self and learning how to trust. Kelly exhibited strength yet was vulnerable and carrying. He expressed compassion while being a warrior. During a very difficult exercise he taught us how to depend on one another and to trust. Through the years, I lost touch with Kelly but remained a distant Facebook friend with Gayla, thusly I stayed somewhat caught up with their amazing adventure in South America. Kelly will be sorely missed...God Bless You

Mark and I were so saddened to hear about Kelly. Once y'all left Georgia, it was so good connecting with you in Florida. Such an awesome surprise.
Kelly was truly one of the good guys and he will be missed. We send our love, hugs, and prayers to you, Gayla.

I remember walking up the mountain when you two lived in the Pine Mountain area and Uncle Kelley screaming at the top of his lungs Lol. I also remember spending the weekend with Zack and is going out to eat and just having fun. I remember coming to spend the night and you renting me baseball movies because I love to play the sport. Just a whole bunch of memories filling my head right now. I love you and we will meet again Uncle K!!!

What I remember most about Kelly is his smile and infectious laugh. Gayla, you and your family have my deepest sympathy at this time.You have an arduous journey ahead of you but I truly believe he would want you to be happy and enjoy your life.

Kelly was a light to this world. Thinking of Kelly and Gayla always bring a smile to me. Their kindness to everyone they met made them "friends" never meeting a stranger. Condolences to the family as a link is missing! Favor,glory, and promises upon the family.

Brendan John Patrick Durkan


March 3 at 9:13am ·

..
Thoughts and Prayers for the family, loved ones, and cherished friends of Ranger Kelly Prince ~ for he was fun loving, hard as woodpecker lips, a standard bearer ... one hell of a Ranger ~ Sua Sponte my Brother! One for the Airborne Ranger in the Sky (1961 - 2016)

Keith William Jenkerson

Hi Gayla, I am having problems posting a memorial please post this for me, thank you..............

I had less than 3 months with Kelly, enough time for him to be the first to invite me into their dojo, enough time to witness his unwavering dedication to his sport, enough time to see him mentor Phoenix and Blake with strength and care, enough time to share my knowledge of martial arts with him, enough time to enjoy the home hospitality of two wonderful people Kelly and Gayla. My only regret is I did not have enough time to build an everlasting friendship with a genuine person that I knew would last, God took you Home so we will be together again one day. RIP my friend.

Dear Gayla and Family,

Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences. It has been a difficult time for all of us, but God will see us through it.

I met Kelly over three years ago, when I moved permanently to Ecuador. He and I became very good friends and supporters of each other. He loved and lived his life with Zest, and it was infectious to others. There was never a time when he wasn't there when I needed him, I hope that he would be able to say the same of me.

I will forever remember and love him. I hope that the family will find peace in this time of grief.

Rest in Peace Grenada Raider.

Rest In Peace Ranger Buddy, it was a honor serving with you......

RLTW

Kelly was a great Ranger and a really solid guy. Always had a positive attitude regardless of what we were doing. Always smiling. He was also a true American hero having participated in Operation Urgent Fury on the island of Grenada in October of 1983 for which he was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge. It was an honor to have served with him, and I will always remember him fondly. He will be missed. See you on the high ground, Ranger. RLTW!

I remember Kelly always being a gentleman with the stature of a bull! A great Ranger & one tuff SOB! It was an honor serving with you! RIP Brother

Kelly was a great mentor and friend. I enjoyed the time that we had together where he gave me many great self defense and martial arts pointers. He had a great left hook. RIP Kelly.

American. Patriot. Ranger. Stud.
A true "Silent Professional".
Sorry to hear of your passing.
Until we meet in Valhalla, Brother.
RIP

I had the opportunity to watch Kelly grow up and be a good friend to my younger brother, Michael John Hughes. He always had a huge smile and made having "little brothers" around so much fun! It was so good to see him at the Bismarck High School Multi-Year Class Reunion a few years ago. The Prince Family is in our thoughts and prayer. Sincerely, Debbie Hughes Martin

Rest In Peace Ranger. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten.

One of his fav songs;

"I Can Only Imagine" https://youtu.be/0xwzItqYmII

His other fav song:

https://youtu.be/_9TShlMkQnc
"Live Like You Are Dying"

I met Kelly in Ecuador.. We had an instant bond and we joked that we were brothers from other mothers ..we had many adventures exploring a new country.. This news makes my heart hurt..I will miss our bond and friendship..Rest up your going to need it when I get there!! Peace to you my friend.

Gayla, thank you for providing this site for Kelly's family, friends, and Ranger brothers to share in this loss and remembering him. Thank you too for posting all of the great pictures of Kelly enjoying life. I last talked with Kelly in 1998 while stationed at Ft Benning. We had a great talk about how he was doing then, his fashion-sense, his love of convertibles, his hair, his plans for the future, his love of life and his family and its challenges. He missed his time with his brothers at 1/75. He had a lot of good laughs about those times. Kelly was a "Prince" of the Rangers. He was the quintessential "quiet professional" as soo many have stated here. He was a true and honest friend of many...and a stranger to no one. He had the potential to bring violence to the enemy...when needed but he truly had a gentle soul. He will be missed by many here on earth but his Ranger brother Phil Y. has welcomed him to the Ranger P.B. in the sky and they await the rest of us. Love you brother!

Kelly was a genuinely good person- always had a smile and a laugh- even if he was laughing at himself. All those Sunday morning on the first row at Oma Church- Chana playing the piano and Kelly, Lynne and I singing at the top of our voices- thank goodness Chana great singing could drown us out! I'm sorry I misses the opportunity to tell him goodbye and that we all loved him.

I loved Kelly like a brother! Kelli Hall, Kelly, and I were the three stooges in high school! He would drive us to and from school every day. We were there for each other in good and bad times. The last time I saw him at the combined class reunion, we picked up our conversation as if time had not passed. Loved to laugh with Kelly! He will be missed.

I remember when both uncle Kelly and aunt Kayla came to my apartment when I first got married to Nichole uncle Kelly looked like the man off of cast away lol his beard was all grown out but I loved it because it reminded me of his outgoing personality we had a good afternoon..and that was the last time I had seen Kelly... I'm going to miss him I love you I can't wait to see you in heaven

Raymond & I will forever remember your kindness. Thank you for your gift of friendship. Gayla, you and all of your family are in our thoughts and prayers.