John Prentice Carson

On Thursday evening , April 22 ^nd , this world lost a lion.

In the presence of those who loved him most, John Prentice Carson was delivered into the hands of God and will rest for eternity in His loving arms.  He was patriot; a man who loved his country, his family and friends, anything and everything that had to do with sports, and a lifelong career that truly exemplified the word “hospitality.”  His life so many were privileged to witness was built upon the principles of hard work, lifting others up, and encouraging the world to be better in any way that he could.  His energy was inspiring, and his ability to make every person that met him feel as if they were the most important person in the world is what set him apart.  If asked what gave him the utmost joy this side of life, he would proudly respond by saying what an honor it was to be a father, what a blessing it was to be an American, and what a thrill it was to be an Ole Miss Rebel!

John was born on September 9 ^th , 1935 in Columbus, MS.  He spent his early years on the family farm in the Prairie and soon found himself to be quite the entrepreneur; there was no stopping this business man from becoming a success.  After graduating from Lee High School in 1953, John attended the University of Mississippi on a football scholarship where he played quarterback for the Rebels from 1953-1956.  John graduated from Ole Miss in 1957 and began a career in the hospitality industry that spanned decades; trailblazing and innovating the industry in ways few had done before him.  After his career had ended, John settled in Jacksonville Beach, FL to be close to his family and start a new chapter in his life as a grandfather, which completed him and kept a constant smile on his face.

John was preceded in death by some of Columbus’ finest:  His grandfather and grandmother, Robert Alexander Carson and Ida Billups Carson; his grandfather and grandmother, James Cobb and Kitty Cobb; his father and mother, Saunders Billups Carson, Sr. and Annie Kate Cobb Carson; his brother and sister-in-law, Saunders Billups Carson, Jr. and Pat Carson; his brother, James Cobb Carson; and his nephew, Saunders Billups Carson III.  John is survived by his niece, Kate Carson Heard of Madison, MS; his brother, Robert Lanier Carson of Columbus, MS; his son, Christopher Ramon Carson (Kathryn Tohill Carson) of Columbus, MS; his daughter, Erin Carson Frauenheim (Ryan Neil Frauenheim) of Jacksonville Beach, FL; and his son, Ryan Bassett Carson (Bethany Chadwick Carson) of Clover, SC.  John is also blessed to be survived by his loving grandchildren who adored him more than anything in this world:  Noah Ryan Frauenheim (14), Carter Ashton Frauenheim (13), Anna Grace Carson (10), Caleb Chadwick Carson (8), Emily Joy Carson (6), Fields Harris Carson (6), Joshua Ryan Carson (4), Katie Sykes Carson (3), and Callie Hope Carson (1).

“I fought the good fight.  I finished the race.  I kept the faith.”