Gary L Prince

Gary L. Prince

(Coach) Gary Prince, 72, of Bartlett, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 24, 2026. Born March 15, 1954 in Chicago, IL, Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Doris Prince and is survived by his sister Linda Prince and brother Jeff Prince (Kira). The Prince’s enjoyed many years of visiting with relatives in Martin, Tennessee.

Gary attended Carl Schurz High School in Chicago where he discovered his love for football. He played on the inaugural football team at Harper College and later at Dakota State University. After hanging up his letterman jacket, Gary received his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and then returned to Harper College to coach football.

An impromptu Earth, Wind & Fire concert led Gary to his loving wife, Kathy, of 45 years. Gary is survived by Kathy, his daughters Randi (TJ) and Hannah, sons Garrett (Morgan) and Dean (Tania), grandchildren Dani, Thelon, Shay, and Knox, and nieces and nephew Steven, Sarah, and Paityn.

Also known as the “Morley Candy Man”, Gary spent over 20 years in candy/fundraising sales. He was an active member of Living Lord Lutheran Church in Bartlett for many years; frequently traveling around the country with his children on mission trips to serve local communities. He continued his passion of coaching through his four children’s extracurricular athletics. While none of his children have yet to go pro, those were cherished years that created lifelong memories. Gary was the pitcher of his 16” softball team the “Wild Things”, an avid cyclist, Bears fan (particularly of Dick Butkus), and White Sox fan. Gary was never one to sit still when the right song came on, his dad jokes were second to none, and it brought him immense joy to grab a coffee and split a single muffin among the “Four Lads”.

Words cannot express how much Gary will be missed. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the warmth he left behind.

Visitation Sunday November 1, 2026 2:00pm until 8:00pm at Countryside Funeral Homes and Crematory, 950 South Bartlett Rd., Bartlett. Funeral Monday November 2, 2026 10:00am at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 1044 Congress Drive (off Route 59), Bartlett Illinois. Cremation will be private at the Countryside Crematory.

If you are able to join us in honoring Gary’s life on Sunday, November 1 or Monday, November 2, we welcome you to prepare a memory you may have of him, whether big or small, to be voice recorded.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at Alzheimer's Association /get-involved-now/donate.