In Memoriam: Paul Louis Prange
Paul Louis Prange, age 76, passed away peacefully at his home on May 18, 2023. Paul was born in Van Nuys, California on November 2, 1946 to Louis and Vera Prange. After several years in North Hollywood the family moved to Bouquet Canyon in 1953 where his father worked for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. It was during this time Paul learned to work hard and enjoy the outdoors. In 1957, his family moved to the Tinnemaha Reservoir. In the beautiful Owens Valley, he spent time helping with chores, looking at petroglyphs and for arrowheads. He also learned to ice skate with his mother who passed away in 1960.
He graduated from Big Pine High School in 1964 where he played varsity sports including football, basketball, and track and field with a personal best high jump of 6’6″. He met his future bride, Linda Price, in 1965 and went to Antelope Valley College in Lancaster. Later, he worked at the ammunition depot in Hawthorne, Nevada. In 1967 he returned to the Owens Valley for good to work for Union Carbide at the Pine Creek Tungsten Mine. It was that same year he married Linda.
In 1968 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He attended Basic Training in Fort Ord, California. He was deployed to Vietnam as an infantryman where he was injured by a shrapnel explosion in combat and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was reunited with Linda at Fort Carson, Colorado and they had their first child, Ginelle, before he was honorably discharged in 1970.
They moved to Bishop to work for Union Carbide-Avocet for more than 30 years. His two sons were born in Bishop. He showed his true selflessness by donating a kidney to his son, Monroe. He enjoyed watching his children play sports and traveling, especially to Texas to see his grandchildren who affectionately called him “Pa”. Once retired, he continued part-time for Standard Industrial Materials.
Paul was active in the community, involved in the Neighborhood Church and volunteered his time at the Bishop Care Center. He experienced life change in 1967 when he accepted Christ.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1
Paul was preceded in death by his father Louis, mother Vera, stepmother Louise, in-laws Paul and Lucille Price.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Linda; daughter Ginelle Prange, San Diego, California; son Monroe Prange (Anna), Bishop, California; son Tye Prange (Stefannye), Leander, Texas and his four grandchildren, Lilyeanne, Pierce, Grant, Faith; sister Evelyn Williams, Dayton, Nevada; brother Ken Prange (Nancy), Bishop, California; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration will take place in the future. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Laws Museum, where he enjoyed spending time.
Rest in peace my friend, your friendship is something I will cherish forever and I thank God for your influence and presence in my life. The world was a better place with you in it but your light now shines in a better place – God Bless.