Prentiss Calhoun

James Prentiss Calhoun has walked off the field for the final time.  A farmer, athlete, entrepreneur, Mason, Eastern Star member, devout Christian, and committed family man, Prentiss Calhoun died peacefully at home on April 13, 2024.   The love of his life, Sandra Calhoun, was by his side – just as she had been throughout their 59-year marriage.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5:00 until 8:00 pm and Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 10:00 until 11:00 am at Puckett Baptist Church. The funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 am Thursday. Burial will be at Puckett Cemetery.

Prentiss was born on July 11, 1944.  He grew up in Puckett, Mississippi, and there was no place on Earth he loved more than his hometown of “300 Good Friendly Folks and a Few Old Soreheads.”  The son of Ralph and Irene Calhoun, Prentiss was an outstanding student and an All-State athlete.  After graduating from Puckett High School, Prentiss attended Mississippi State University where he played varsity football and excelled in his study of mathematics, science, and agriculture.  The highlight of his football career came on October 29, 1966, when he scored two touchdowns against the Alabama Crimson Tide.  

By far the most important event of Prentiss’s college years was “running off” to Alabama in 1965 to marry his high school sweetheart.  Prentiss and Sandra were married for five months before they let their families in on the secret.  As husband- and-wife, parents, and grandparents, they were partners in all things.

Prentiss returned to Puckett after college and began a successful career as a farmer, business owner, and investor.  He grew crops, ran one of the largest hog operations in Mississippi, raised cattle, and founded Calhoun Pitch, a major supplier of insulating material for international lighting manufacturers.   Prentiss enjoyed riding horses, singing in the church choir, and sitting at his computer for hours devising complex investment strategies.  

Prentiss was happiest when surrounded by family.   His three children, Leigh, Brad, and Thomas, were sources of tremendous pride, and Prentiss relished the role of patriarch as the family grew to include five grandchildren (Austin Calhoun, Catherine Calhoun, Caroline Calhoun, James Johnson, and Erin Johnson) and one great-grandson – Baby Prentiss.

Some people fill up a room when they walk in the door.  Prentiss was one of those people.  Never lacking confidence, he would shake your hand with an extra strong grip, flex his muscles for his grandchildren (or anyone else willing to watch), and eagerly tell a story or two about gridiron glory or his latest business venture.  He wasn’t shy about singing at full volume regardless of how well he knew a song.

While Prentiss was comfortable being the center of attention, he often showed kindness and generosity in private and unseen ways.  When asked to help those in his community who were struggling, Prentiss was quick to say yes.   Much of that benevolence was unknown to others, and that is just the way Prentiss wanted it.

Prentiss will be missed – by his family, his community, his church, his Mason lodge, and his many friends.  He leaves behind a legacy that will not soon be forgotten, and his spirit lives on in all whose lives he touched.   

In lieu of flowers, the Prentiss Calhoun family requests that you make a donation to the Puckett Volunteer Fire Department in memory of him. Prentiss was the founding president who incorporated and started the Puckett VFD in 1976 along with his wife Sandra who served as secretary. Please see the links below to access multiple payment platforms such as Cash App, Venmo, & PayPal to Puckett VFD. (Terryl Yelverton is the administrative volunteer for fundraising and donations for Puckett VFD).

https://cash.app/$TerrylYelverton

https://venmo.com/u/Terryl-Yelverton

You may also mail a check to: P.O. Box 397 Puckett, MS 39151.