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Michael William Prines, 69 years young, left us Sunday, December 20, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his loving family by his side, holding his hands.
Mike was born May 1, 1951 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Vance AFB in Enid Oklahoma to James and Georgia Prines. He was the eldest of their children, who include Steven Carl Prines, Daniel James Prines, and Carol Lynn Prines-DeWachter.
Susan, his loving and devoted wife of 50 years, met the love of her life while they were both in the tenth grade at Desert High School in California. Both of their fathers, who were in the United States Air Force, were stationed at Edwards AFB. Mike and Susan dated nearly four years, graduated high school together, and on June 20, 1970 were married in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her family resided.
Mike joined the US Air Force August 25, 1969 and was honorably discharged four years later but remained on active duty reserves for an additional two years. As a loadmaster on the C-141 cargo plane, his responsibility was to ensure the accuracy of the weight and balance of the aircraft. As the Vietnam War was in full swing, Mike’s other duties included the dropping of supplies to ground forces. From numerous visits to Vietnam, Incirlik, Turkey, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Reykjavik, Iceland, Ramstein, Germany, Rota, Spain, Fairbanks, Alaska, among others, Mike really did “see the world”, while his bride awaited his return. Mike thoroughly enjoyed his military time and for years has shared his fond memories.
For the next eight years as a scheduler and weight and balance technician, Mike worked for Continental AirLines, continuing his mathematical skills for the company. Additionally, he trained and became certified as a US Air Marshal.
In March of 1982, beginning his most lengthy career, Mike joined the United States Border Patrol, a division of the US Department of Justice. Becoming fluent in Spanish within ten months while learning Immigration Law, Mike for the next 24 years, endured an exciting, yet difficult and tumultuous career in law enforcement.
After seventeen years of marriage, Mike and Susan were FINALLY blessed with their first child, a gift from God, Jonathan William, born March 13,1987. They added to their family with a beautiful daughter, Ashley Rae born December 3, 1991. A devoted and loving father to both children, Mike and Susan raised two responsible, educated, hardworking children, they were extremely proud of their accomplishments.
Retirement and relocation to Stillwater, OK to be with family in June 2005, evolved into many hobbies for Mike. Music had always played an important role for him. Becoming self-taught on his guitars, drums, and keyboards, in his younger life, Mike played guitar in the Catholic Church during the service and was part of a high school band. Whenever he heard a song by the Beach Boys, he would always smile, dance, and sing along.
Transporting his 1957 Chevy Bel Air from San Diego to Stillwater, continued countless hours in his restoration of the vehicle; he never lacked for projects. Airplanes and museums also played a significant role in Mike’s retirement years. He loved aviation and all that it entailed. He could hear an airplane overhead, run outside, and quickly identify it and its engine type, an amazing gift and talent. Another hobby of Mike’s was reading; from novels, to spy thrillers, and history books, he enjoyed it all. Not a night went by where he did not read prior to bed.
Most sports mattered to Mike; football, baseball, and hockey were his favorites. He always said, “I got the best seat in the house, right here at home.”
Mike enjoyed visiting Branson, MO for its entertainment, but his favorite place to vacation was Pensacola Beach, FL.
On November 6, 2020, daughter Ashley married Ryan O’Dell, a young man any father-in-law would be proud of. Walking her down the aisle was a happy moment for Mike, a beautiful memory that will forever remain in our hearts.
Mike is loved and will be missed by all; such a role model he was, a man of honor, integrity, and strength.
Mike will be cremated and his service is entrusted to Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee, OK at 11 am on Sunday, December 27, 2020.
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