Today, March 7, 2015, is the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the day that the marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, were brutally beaten, shedding their blood so that we could all have the right to vote. In commemoration of this event, I went back into the archives for some marching music and came across a Youtube trilogy by Odetta, the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement. For those not familiar with Odetta, her songs inspired many a marcher ... and many a sympathizer. Indeed, no one less than Bob Dylan has credited Odetta with inspiring him to become a folksinger and, for a time, the voice of his generation. You can hear Odetta's marching song trilogy at
P.S. While viewing Odetta's rendition of the Dylan song, I noticed that Aaron Neville sang an extended version of the Dylan song with more contemporary photos. Aaron's voice brought home Dylan's message in a way that, I think, even surpasses Odetta's version and caused me to pause and think for a while about the meaning of it all. Perhaps, after viewing the video, you will too.
In watching the PBS Newshour for Friday, March 6, 2015, it seemed to me that the best news of the day came in the last minute of the program. In the last minute, Judy Woodruff notes that recently there have been no memorial segments at the conclusion of their broadcast. There have been no memorials for the last 84 days because there have been no fatal casualties in Iraq or Afghanistan for the last 84 days. I don't know about you but for me that bit of news was the best news of the day and is something to celebrate ... and it is also something to be thankful to the Obama administration for.
Okay, I will admit it. I am hooked on "Empire", the television show about a Jay Z type record mogul and his interesting but dysfunctional family. Apparently this show has reached a wide audience and may herald the fact that black folks may have actually arrived in a serious way in America since this dramatic show about a flawed African American family is being invited into so many American homes. Wow!
Of course, one of the main attractions about this show is the music. I don't know who writes the songs, but many of them are very good. Here's one from last night's show that I especially found appealing, perhaps you will too.
Composed and posted on March 5, 2015 Today's news is filled with reporting on the speech by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister. Netanyahu's speech before a joint session of Congress is certainly the most controversial speech by a foreign head of state while on American soil in many decades, ... perhaps ever. However, regardless of what one thinks about Netanyahu or his speech, I think we all can be thankful for his quoting that guy who's name graces the library of our alma mater and, perhaps, it is fitting that we recall the actual poem today to ponder which path in the fork of the road that we all took ... along with the path that our nation has taken as well.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost, 1874 - 1963
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
As many of you know by now, I am a minor country music fan. Now sadly, that is not a common trait amongst African Americans. Indeed, the interest of African Americans in country music in general seems to be reflected in the number of African American artists that have been successful in the genre. Aside from Herb Jeffries, the Bronze Buckaroo, Charley Pride and Darius Rucker, there are few African American country artists of note and most certainly there have been no African American women of note... until now.
Now along comes Mickey Guyton and while her career is just beginning it is refreshing and inspiring to see.
Well, it appears that even I could be in error. To my surprise, there appear to be two sets of brothers in the Baseball Hall of Fame. As one of my classmates pointed out, my fellow Oklahomans, the Waner brothers, Paul ("Big Poison") and Lloyd ("Little Poison"), are in the Hall. However, they were not the "brothers" I was originally interested in seeing. The two brothers I "had" to see were Rube Foster, the "Father of Black Baseball", and his half-brother Blazing Bill Foster, a pitcher who many think was better than the legendary Satchel Paige. You can briefly read about all of their illustrious careers at
As chance would have it, this year's Black Alumni Weekend ends the day before the Boston Red Sox have their home opener against the Washington Nationals. As part of my activities associated with attending the Black Alumni Weekend, it is my plan to do a Baseball Pilgrimage. I will be staying in Pittsfield, the town that claims to have a document from 1791 that references a game called "baseball". Strange because, according to some, baseball was not invented until 1839 by Abner Doubleday.
While staying in Pittsfield, I plan on taking a pilgrimage to Cooperstown, New York, to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. I have longed to see the Baseball Hall of Fame and I especially want to see the exhibits of the only two brothers that are currently enshrined there. Do any of you know who they are? Most don't, but I do.
After the pilgrimage to Cooperstown, I will concentrate on Amherst activities, including visiting the Amherst Golf Course to maybe play a round with some fellow Black Alumni attendees and to discuss the Class of 1975 golf outing slated for late May. Of course, I am also hopeful of once again leading the Sunday morning memorial ceremony in the Gerald Penny Cultural Center to honor those Black alumni, students and staff who have left their footprints on Amherst's hallowed fields. But even if I am there alone, a memorial shall be held.
After the Sunday session, I plan on returning to Boston and I tentatively would like to end my Baseball Pilgrimage by attending the Boston Red Sox season opener.
The question I have is where would you recommend that I sit in order to get a good view in Fenway Park? This is likely to be my one and only visit to Fenway. How might I maximize my viewing experience without unduly damaging my government funded wallet?
Not to belabor the point, but every community should demand police accountability ... and every community should be accountable for monitoring what those police do.
Composed and posted on February 10, 2015 As chance would have it, this year's Black Alumni Weekend ends the day before the Boston Red Sox have their home opener against the Washington Nationals. As part of my activities associated with attending the Black Alumni Weekend, it is my plan to do a Baseball Pilgrimage. I will be staying in Pittsfield, the town that claims to have a document from 1791 that references a game called "baseball". Strange because, according to some, baseball was not invented until 1839 by Abner Doubleday.
While staying in Pittsfield, I plan on taking a pilgrimage to Cooperstown, New York, to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. I have longed to see the Baseball Hall of Fame and I especially want to see the exhibits of the only two brothers that are currently enshrined there. Do any of you know who they are? Most don't, but I do.
After the pilgrimage to Cooperstown, I will concentrate on Amherst activities, including visiting the Amherst Golf Course to maybe play a round with some fellow Black Alumni attendees and to discuss the Class of 1975 golf outing slated for late May. Of course, I am also hopeful of once again leading the Sunday morning memorial ceremony in the Gerald Penny Cultural Center to honor those Black alumni, students and staff who have left their footprints on Amherst's hallowed fields. But even if I am there alone, a memorial shall be held.
After the Sunday session, I plan on returning to Boston and I tentatively would like to end my Baseball Pilgrimage by attending the Boston Red Sox season opener.
The question I have is where would you recommend that I sit in order to get a good view in Fenway Park? This is likely to be my one and only visit to Fenway. How might I maximize my viewing experience without unduly damaging my government funded wallet?
Hobbiton is located in Matamata which is on the way to Rotorua, the focal point for the preservation of Maori culture. In Rotorua, there is Te Puia, a Maori Cultural Center and Geothermal Site. At Puia, perhaps because I am tall, brown, reasonably fit and look the most like them, the Maori selected me to be the honorary chief of the visitors for the day. That distinction allowed me to join the Maori for the traditional Haka dance celebration. Doing the Haka is a lot harder than it seems. You really have to slap your body hard. By the end of the dance, my thighs and chest were red and I was out of breath. But it was a wonderful experience ... just as wonderful as the night the week before when the dance troupe on Bora Bora invited me to join them for a dance and gave me a ceremonial palm branch hat for being that night's "Lord of the Dance". Sadly, the New Zealand officials confiscated that hat. It was a beautiful hat.
As for the Maori, as evidenced by the Haka dance, their history is one steeped in ferociousness. They are a formidable people and, in contrast to the French Polynesians, appear to have been quite resistant to European domination even to this day. The fact that some of the best and most ferocious rugby players are Maori tells you quite a bit about the Maori of today. The fact that in not so ancient times, they practiced eating their defeated foes tells you a little more.
Did you meet or chat with any of the Maouri while you were there ? One of my graduate school friends, in plant pathology, used to tell me that I looked just like his grandmother (minus a number of years). When he brought me a picture of her one day she could have been one of my relatives – he was right.
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King was on TBS this past weekend and, being a hooked fan, I was compelled to watch it once again. This time around when the movie came to its near conclusion with the return of the Hobbits to Hobbiton, I found myself being very nostalgic about my recent trip to New Zealand and my visit to Shire. A flood of memories of the wondrous Hobbiton movie set came to mind and prompted me to see what videos might exist of the Hobbiton that I now know. Here is the best that I found:
After watching the video, you too may desire to visit the Shire and relive memories of adventures of yore. For those who are able and so inclined, I can testify that it is a journey well worth taking.
However, in my travels in New Zealand, I was actually surprised to discover another Hobbit like town on the Southern Island that was not the product of fiction but of fact. On the way to Queenstown, we rode through the quaint mining town of Arrowtown. I read about there being a Chinese mining settlement in Arrowtown and became intrigued so the next day we went back to find a history of a somewhat diminutive people who quiet literally spent a great part of their lives living in holes on the side of the mountains. You can read a bit about Arrowtown at
In my memories of New Zealand, both settlements left indelible images and both were inspiring. However, whereas today there are no Hobbits in Hobbiton, there are thousands of Chinese who managed to come out of their mountain holes and create a community and a legacy that endures to this day. They were able to do so not so much based on their mining skills but based on their culinary culture which relied upon the raising of copious amounts of fruits and vegetables which the Chinese miners soon began to sell to their Caucasian neighbors. Quite remarkable.
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King was on TBS this past weekend and, being a hooked fan, I was compelled to watch it once again. This time around when the movie came to its near conclusion with the return of the Hobbits to Hobbiton, I found myself being very nostalgic about my recent trip to New Zealand and my visit to Shire. A flood of memories of the wondrous Hobbiton movie set came to mind and prompted me to see what videos might exist of the Hobbiton that I now know. Here is the best that I found:
After watching the video, you too may desire to visit the Shire and relive memories of adventures of yore. For those who are able and so inclined, I can testify that it is a journey well worth taking.
However, in my travels in New Zealand, I was actually surprised to discover another Hobbit like town on the Southern Island that was not the product of fiction but of fact. On the way to Queenstown, we rode through the quaint mining town of Arrowtown. I read about there being a Chinese mining settlement in Arrowtown and became intrigued so the next day we went back to find a history of a somewhat diminutive people who quiet literally spent a great part of their lives living in holes on the side of the mountains. You can read a bit about Arrowtown at
In my memories of New Zealand, both settlements left indelible images and both were inspiring. However, whereas today there are no Hobbits in Hobbiton, there are thousands of Chinese who managed to come out of their mountain holes and create a community and a legacy that endures to this day. They were able to do so not so much based on their mining skills but based on their culinary culture which relied upon the raising of copious amounts of fruits and vegetables which the Chinese miners soon began to sell to their Caucasian neighbors. Quite remarkable.
Received news this past week about the passing of Dean Smith, the legendary North Carolina basketball coach.
I must admit that I was never that enamored with Dean Smith's coaching style. I often felt as though he did not take full advantage of the talented players that he had and his four corners offense was often like watching paint dry. However, with the passage of time and with a fuller understand of the Life Lessons that he taught along with the basketball lessons, I have come to regard Dean Smith as a great man. Please take a look at his obituary and consider the measure of the man.
In this contemporary world where most Americans seem oblivious to the wars that have been waged in Iraq and Afghanistan, perhaps the most compelling story about the "cost" of war and the sacrifice made by so many on our behalf is presented in the movie American Sniper. Whatever your political persuasion may be, I recommend that you see American Sniper and, at the conclusion of the movie, that you sit through the silent credits and contemplate all that we are ... and all that we should be.
Composed and posted on January 30, 2015 For those of you who listened to the touching Radiolab story about Emilie Gossiaux and how the love of her boyfriend Alan Lundgard seemed to serve as a bridge between the world of the living and the world of the dead, you probably came close to tears at the end. It was especially touching to hear Alan and Emilie end the program by identifying themselves as "Alan Lundgard, the boyfriend" and "Emilie Gossiaux, the girlfriend". And based on the way the story transpired and the way it ended, one would have believed that it was a "Happily Ever After" story.
But apparently not. As one of the comments attached to the Radiolad website notes, the pair split not long after Emilie regained her mobility. No specifics were given as to why. It just was. And so, for the romantics among us, there is a tinge of disappointment.
However, during last month's holiday season, I also saw the movie The Theory of Everything, the cinematic depiction of the story of Stephen Hawking (as brilliantly played by Eddie Redmayne). The key to the story here is the seemingly miraculous now 50+ year triumph of Hawking over ALS and the role his determined wife Jane (a very spunky Felicity Jones) played in being the "life force" that seemed to propel Hawking to live. Again after enduring so much hardship for thirty years, the romantics among us would be inclined to think that such a relationship would last forever. But it did not.
Finally, over the holidays, I saw the movie Into the Woods which reveals that there never is a "Happily Ever After" to the Fairy Tales we learn as youths. In our grown up world, tragedy and disappointment seem to always follow the successful endings to the Fairy Tales. Thus, Cinderella, can never expand beyond her scullery maid beginnings to keep the full interest of the butterfly Prince who was raised to be "charming, but not sincere".
I suppose these stories are a sign of the times. But the optimist in me prefers to look at the positives. For me, the love between Alan and Emilie did bring Emilie back from death, and the power of that love was miraculous. For me, the love of Jane for Stephen did keep Stephen alive, and the power of that love was also miraculous. For me, the Fairy Tales did all end with the principal characters being able to live "happily ever after" and the miracles that occurred in those stories continued to abound.
But then, I tend to be an optimist. I tend to see miracles every where. What do you see?
On Saturdays, I typically run errands. Usually the first errand I run is a recycling run where I take all my bottles and cans to the local recycling redemption center. This past Saturday, I was on my recycling run when I happened to switch on NPR's Radio Lab program. I do not normally listen to NPR on the weekends, but for some reason I did at that time and I came upon the following story
This story stopped in my tracks. It was the most unusual story I had heard in a very long time. On so many different levels, this story grabbed me and gave me a great sense of hope. Perhaps, those of you who are inclined to listen to it, and who do so, will feel the same emotions that I felt. In any event, I thought that this story would be a good way to bridge the old year with the new.
Happy New Year!
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
P.S. This is Part One because there is a Part Two to this story, but that can come later ... after the new year has begun.
As it just so happens, the day after Willie's memorial service, I drove my middle brother to Los Angeles to pick up my younger sister so that we could go visit my older sister in Las Vegas. We made it to Las Vegas and had a pleasant dinner with my older sister at the Olive Garden. I had planned on taking my sisters to see a Vegas show but whenever we get together we seem to wind up entertaining ourselves. The dinner lasted a long time and then my older sister suggested that we go over to her middle daughter's house. We did so and were just in time to catch the latest edition of Real Housewives of Atlanta. ... at least I think it is Atlanta. That is the show with the woman who sort of looks like Nene on it. You know "Coach Roz" from Glee?
I don't know Mat, after a few minutes of watching that, I did begin to feel as though I had descended into an era of cultural decline. Is this what we focus on? Really?
Of course, it is entertaining, but so was witnessing the aftermath of the fatal big rig collision on I-5 that occurred while driving down to Victorville on the previous Friday night. It was entertaining, but not uplifting by any stretch of the imagination.
At the memorial service for Willie Pringle, I was pleasantly surprised to be joined by my middle brother, who drove all the 400 miles from the Bay Area. After the services, we kicked back at Applebee's for lunch and then went over my brother's (formerly Mom and Dad's) house to spend the night with my youngest brother. While there my brother introduced us to the show Empire. To my great dismay, I found it addictive. Someway, somehow, I think my Amherst education has failed me. Am I wrong?
Composed and posted on January 30, 2015 At the memorial service for Willie Pringle, I was pleasantly surprised to be joined by my middle brother, who drove all the 400 miles from the Bay Area. After the services, we kicked back at Applebee's for lunch and then went over my brother's (formerly Mom and Dad's) house to spend the night with my youngest brother. While there my brother introduced us to the show Empire. To my great dismay, I found it addictive. Someway, somehow, I think my Amherst education has failed me. Am I wrong?
Willie and I became friends in the first grade and during my first year in junior high school he was my “paid” body guard. He was a very good man. I do, and will, miss him.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
I was fortunate enough to make it to Willie's Memorial service on January 17. While I was not scheduled to speak, I prevailed upon Willie's widow to allow me to say a few words and she consented. I told about how Willie was older than most his fellow classmates and certainly was bigger ... and tougher. But Willie actually had a gentle soul about him and agreed to be my bodyguard during the first tough year of junior high school. Apparently, my brief comments registered with those in attendance as is evidenced in the following article
I share all this with you because even in death Willie was trying to protect people by advising that every male, especially every African American male, be mindful of their prostate health. I think Willie's concern should be well received because even the biggest and strongest amongst us is not immune from the disease. Who knows if even one person responds to Willie's concerns then his call will be validated.
Posted Jan. 7, 2015 at 8:19 PM Updated Jan 7, 2015 at 8:23 PM
APPLE VALLEY — After touching the lives of many people in the High Desert, community leader and Victor Valley College fixture Willie Davis Pringle has died.
According to Pringle’s wife, Mary, he was surrounded by his family when he died at their Apple Valley home on Tuesday. Pringle was 62.
“He had battled prostate cancer for about 2 1/2 years and I was praying that the Lord would be merciful by taking him,” said Mary Pringle, who was married to Willie for 15 years. “It’s a blessing that he’s with the Lord, but it’s going to be difficult without him.”
Mary Pringle said the couple first met at VVC while she worked as a clerk typist and Willie worked in the maintenance department.
After listening to his stories and being captivated by his warmth, kindness and sense of humor, she fell in love and the two later exchanged vows.
“He was the best father, grandfather and man that I have ever met,” said Patty Mix, Pringle’s daughter. “I could say a million things about him, but I’m at a loss right now. We will really miss him.”
In December, VVC officials hosted a dedication ceremony in honor of the 33-year college employee, naming the college’s athletic training room after him. Pringle served as the Rams’ head football coach and athletic director, and later became director of student services before retiring.
Mary Pringle said her husband was honored by the VVC ceremony and lovely words that were spoken about him, but the couple chuckled when Willie said, “I thought they waited until people were gone before they did something like this.”
On Wednesday, Jaye Tashima, the current athletic director at VVC, said Pringle’s fingerprints are on the hearts of those associated with college.
“There’s not a place on campus where Willie’s influence was not felt,” Tashima said. “Willie Pringle is Victor Valley College and he is the epitome of what we should all strive for.”
During the dedication ceremony, Roger Wagner, VVC Superintendent/President, said coming to VVC was never a job for Pringle.
“Willie is truly a legend in his own time,” Wagner told the crowd at the dedication. “We appreciate him very much.”
As the news spread of Pringle’s passing, a wave of comments began appearing on Facebook on Wednesday.
“Willie touched the lives of so many,” Lisa Dekker posted. “He was a father to many students, including myself. He taught me to never give up no matter how hard it may seem.”
Dekker said because of Pringle’s influence she went on to earn her master’s degree despite being a teenage mother and being constantly told that she would never amount to anything.
Pringle also served as president of Excelsior Charter School, and was recognized by the Los Angeles County Alliance, the California Alliance and the National Alliance of Black School Educators for his service as a school board member in the Victor Elementary School District. Pringle also received a VVC Distinguished Service award in 2009.
“He truly was my mentor, my colleague and my friend,” said Tashima, as her voice cracked. “He’s the reason why I got hired at VVC. He cared so much about the students and everything that happened at the college. VVC won’t be the same.”
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Jan. 17 at First Assembly of God Victorville, 15260 Nisqualli Road.
Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa Cruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
Willie Davis Pringle's memorial service began with the ringing of the bell by his family members at the First Assembly of God Church in Victorville on Saturday. (David Pardo, Daily Press)
Posted Jan. 17, 2015 at 7:01 PM Updated Jan 19, 2015 at 11:13 AM
VICTORVILLE — As a guitarist played “Amazing Grace” outside, hundreds filed into First Assembly of God Victorville to attend the “Home Going Celebration” for Willie Davis Pringle.
Known by many for his work at Victor Valley College and the local education community, Pringle was surrounded by his family when he died peacefully at the age of 62 at his Apple Valley home on Jan. 6.
As Pringle’s wife, Mary, exchanged hugs with family, friends and community leaders, worship leaders Billy and Isabel Simpson prepared to lead the congregation in song.
“When I went to visit Willie a few weeks ago, I felt like the Lord was just showing me that Willie was the true mark of a Christian,” said Billy Simpson, who leads worship with his wife at The Gate Church in Victorville. “Willie loved people regardless of who they were. The amount of people here today reflects his love for people.”
During the service, Brian Kaiser shared how his stepfather played a powerful role in the lives of his family, including Pringle’s stepdaughter, Patty Mix, and son, Tim Pringle.
Kaiser said he enjoyed Pringle’s love, warmth, truthfulness and caring heart. He also said that Pringle raised him like his own son, and taught him how to become a man.
“I was about 10 years old and we were at the mall,” Kaiser said. “Willie told me that we were going to scam on the girls and that he was going to show me how to act cool doing it.”
Kaiser said Pringle showed him how to sit on the bench, unbutton his shirt and catch a glimpse of a girl “without getting caught.”
Kaiser said Pringle was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, fought courageously and never complained or asked, “Why me?”
To emphasize the importance of being checked for prostate cancer, Kaiser introduced a video clip of the animated TV show “Family Guy,” where a naked Peter Griffin is being examined by a doctor.
“As a pastor, I don’t think I ever followed the Family Guy,” said Randy Howard, of The Gate Church in Victorville. “I’m excited to say that Willie knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and today he is totally healed.”
Howard said just before Pringle died, he told Pringle, “It’s OK, you can go now. Everything is going to be all right.” Pringle shared with Howard that he was “ready to go.”
Lynette Ramirez said she grew up with Pringle in downtown Victorville during the late ’50s and early ’60s.
“We were part of the old E Street gang of friends,” Ramirez said. “We all went to the same church and the same school for colored kids. Willie was a mentor, not only to me, but to the whole neighborhood.”
Longtime classmate Everett Jenkins said from Eva Dell Elementary School to Victorville Junior High School, Pringle was always the biggest and strongest in the class.
“I was a small kid and I wore a bowtie in school, so I was a target,” Jenkins said. “That’s when I paid Willie about 25 cents a week to get protection.”
Jenkins said as the years passed, he discovered that Pringle had “other clients” and that he made a tidy profit from his protection services.
During the service, a slide presentation showed Pringle on his wedding day, in his Victor Valley High School football jersey, tending to his ranch home, portions of his 33 years with VVC and clip of Pringle sporting “Daisy Duke” shorts.
In December, VVC officials hosted a celebration, naming the college’s athletic training room after Pringle who served as the Rams’ head football coach and athletic director, and later became director of student services before retiring.
“Willie was a protector of people when he was a kid, and was a protector of people up until he died,” Jenkins said. “He was my friend and we will all miss him.”
Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
VICTORVILLE — As a guitarist played “Amazing Grace” outside, hundreds filed into First Assembly of God Victorville to attend the “Home Going Celebration” for Willie Davis Pringle.
Known by many for his work at Victor Valley College and the local education community, Pringle was surrounded by his family when he died peacefully at the age of 62 at his Apple Valley home on Jan. 6.
As Pringle’s wife, Mary, exchanged hugs with family, friends and community leaders, worship leaders Billy and Isabel Simpson prepared to lead the congregation in song.
“When I went to visit Willie a few weeks ago, I felt like the Lord was just showing me that Willie was the true mark of a Christian,” said Billy Simpson, who leads worship with his wife at The Gate Church in Victorville. “Willie loved people regardless of who they were. The amount of people here today reflects his love for people.”
During the service, Brian Kaiser shared how his stepfather played a powerful role in the lives of his family, including Pringle’s stepdaughter, Patty Mix, and son, Tim Pringle.
Kaiser said he enjoyed Pringle’s love, warmth, truthfulness and caring heart. He also said that Pringle raised him like his own son, and taught him how to become a man.
“I was about 10 years old and we were at the mall,” Kaiser said. “Willie told me that we were going to scam on the girls and that he was going to show me how to act cool doing it.”
Kaiser said Pringle showed him how to sit on the bench, unbutton his shirt and catch a glimpse of a girl “without getting caught.”
Kaiser said Pringle was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, fought courageously and never complained or asked, “Why me?”
To emphasize the importance of being checked for prostate cancer, Kaiser introduced a video clip of the animated TV show “Family Guy,” where a naked Peter Griffin is being examined by a doctor.
“As a pastor, I don’t think I ever followed the Family Guy,” said Randy Howard, of The Gate Church in Victorville. “I’m excited to say that Willie knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and today he is totally healed.”
Howard said just before Pringle died, he told Pringle, “It’s OK, you can go now. Everything is going to be all right.” Pringle shared with Howard that he was “ready to go.”
Lynette Ramirez said she grew up with Pringle in downtown Victorville during the late ’50s and early ’60s.
“We were part of the old E Street gang of friends,” Ramirez said. “We all went to the same church and the same school for colored kids. Willie was a mentor, not only to me, but to the whole neighborhood.”
Longtime classmate Everett Jenkins said from Eva Dell Elementary School to Victorville Junior High School, Pringle was always the biggest and strongest in the class.
“I was a small kid and I wore a bowtie in school, so I was a target,” Jenkins said. “That’s when I paid Willie about 25 cents a week to get protection.”
Jenkins said as the years passed, he discovered that Pringle had “other clients” and that he made a tidy profit from his protection services.
During the service, a slide presentation showed Pringle on his wedding day, in his Victor Valley High School football jersey, tending to his ranch home, portions of his 33 years with VVC and clip of Pringle sporting “Daisy Duke” shorts.
In December, VVC officials hosted a celebration, naming the college’s athletic training room after Pringle who served as the Rams’ head football coach and athletic director, and later became director of student services before retiring.
“Willie was a protector of people when he was a kid, and was a protector of people up until he died,” Jenkins said. “He was my friend and we will all miss him.”
