Todd Prince of Burns passed away in a logging accident on Oct. 2. He was 54 years old.

Todd was born Nov. 22, 1963, in Enterprise. He was the third child of Gale and LaVonne (King) Prince. He was raised in Wallowa as a young child,  moving to Burns with his family when he was 6 years old. After graduating from Burns Union High School, he enrolled in the Coast Guard, and was thrilled to be stationed in Hawaii. After getting out of the Coast Guard, Todd lived and worked in various places in Oregon over the years, including Portland, Hermiston, and Burns. More recently, Todd lived in Las Vegas, Nev., for eight years before returning to settle at home in Burns two years ago.

From the time he was young, Todd sought adventure, and throughout his adult life, he always remained excited and amazed at new discoveries. Never one to shy away from risk or injury, he landed on his head more than a few times, including the time he fell headfirst into the “hell hole” in the old, abandoned Hines hotel. That day, he arrived home with half his face in serious condition, but was still excited to tell the story.

Todd was a born mechanic and loved to fix things, particularly those engines, tools, or machines that needed just his sort of homemade repair. He could jury rig a toaster to broil a steak, and it worked most of the time. Todd loved to hunt and fish; the first five-point buck he shot by himself when he was 15 is hanging in his dad’s trophy room. Todd loved camping, in the sand and the woods, and was a serious mushroom hunter, rivaling his Grandma Bertie for the largest morels a person could find.

Todd Prince was his father’s son, and so it was that Todd was a logger. Just like his dad, nothing gave Todd more satisfaction than ending the day with a batch of fallen logs or a truckload of wood. Todd died doing what he loved to do; every man should be so lucky.

Todd is survived by his four children, Shane Cook, Tara Prince, Caitlyn Prince, and Danielle Prince; as well as six grandchildren; two nieces; and one nephew. He is also survived by his father, Gale Prince, and Rozann Hoffman; sisters, Tanna Prince and Tina Bossuot. Todd also leaves behind a host of friends who he loved and were very important in his life.

Todd was predeceased by brother, Terryhl Prince; sister, Tandi Ludviksen; mother, LaVonne Lessar; grandparents; and other loves ones.

A service for Todd was held Oct. 11 at Burns Elks Lodge. LaFollette’s Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Donations in Todd’s name may be made to the Kids Club of Harney County.