David Michael "Mike" Prosser was born on August 6, 1947 in Independence, Missouri to H. J. "Bud" and Mary Jeanne Prosser. He grew up an adventurous, curious, intelligent and sometimes precocious child. Mike graduated from high school in 1965 and accepted a ROTC scholarship to attend the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Rolla, Mo. In 1967, Mike decided that life was taking him on another path, deciding to take up the family business and join the military, and enlisted in the U.S, Air Force. Little did he know this would be the beginning of a 26-year adventure.
After graduating from Basic Training as an Honor Graduate, he was sent to San Angelo, TX to be trained in his Air Force specialty. Once he finished his training he was sent to exotic Okinawa, Japan in 1968. He instantly fell in love with people and culture of the island. Learning Shorin-Ryu Karate, earning his black belt 2nd degree and snorkeling around the beautiful coral reefs when he had free time.
He was set up on a blind date with Sachiko Kina, of Yomitan-Son thru a mutual friend. Little did he know that Sachiko was his soul mate and this was the beginning of 53 years of almost constant companionship. Her family, the Toyamas, adopted him as one of their own. Starting relationships that lasted across five decades. Mike and Sachi were married on September 5,1970 and began their adventure together travelling around the world. Through all the ups and downs that life threw at them they met every challenge head-on, together as a team and eventually a family.
Along the way, they walked the streets of Instanbul, Turkey and saw the sunset off the coast of the Black Sea. Took in the sites of ancient Greece in Athens and enjoyed the sapphire blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. While there they were gifted, some would doubt this, with a son Michael Shawn. So now Mike had become a father and like everything else he learned along the way but managed to excel at the role.
Uprooting his family, Mike moved them back to San Angelo and the warm dusty plains of West Texas in 1974. A year later they were blessed again with the birth of a little girl, Melissa "Missy" Ann. Now their family was complete and Mike had settled into the role of husband and father. Enjoying the role and life to its fullest he would once again have to move the family in 1976. This move was the first as a complete family but certainly not the last. The Air Force saw fit to send them to the United Kingdom, Florida, Northern Japan and finally back to San Antonio, Texas.
Mike embraced his title of father and along the way added coach and mentor as well. He found time to coach his son in soccer, baseball and basketball. He taught his kids how to ski in the snow covered mountains of Aomori. Always finding a way to juggle work, school and family time he seemed to manage it with ease and grace. Never letting his kids know how difficult it truly is to do by ensuring his family had the best life he could provide.
Mike took some of his younger coworkers under is wing. Seeing in them, what they did not or could not, something that just required a little help to bring to the surface. This in turn led to them becoming additional family members because that was just how Mike viewed life. He would strive to see the best in everyone, be slow to anger and quick to forgive. He was confident in his abilities but the first to tell if he did not know. He would find the answers to the questions the needed to be answered within himself or with the help of his knowledgeable friends. This attitude towards life made Mike friends that have became like family. Life long relationships that have spanned decades.
Mike retired from the Air Force in February, 1993 with Honorable Service at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He had seen the mountains of Turkey and Northern Japan. The seaside views in Greece, Wales, Florida and Okinawa. Historical sites in London, Germany, Tokyo, Athens, Taiwan and points in between, Travelling the world in service to his country was one of his greatest honors. But now it was time for a change. He then spent a few years working as a contractor in the same area until he felt the need for another change of direction. After some soul searching he set his sights on a completely different career.
Mike began working for Symantec Inc., helping to develop their Threat Signature branch. Again making great friends and partnerships along his 20+ year career with the company. He was privy to some cutting edge development and insights that are still applicable today. But as his family continued to grow, Mike knew that again it was time for a change and retired to spend more time with Sachiko and his grandkids.
His most beloved "hat" to wear was the title, Grandpa. He started wearing this title with the birth of his grandson, Christian Michael David. His role as Grandpa expanded with the births of Kaylin Rhea, Michael Evan Patrick, Stephen Aaron David and Haylee Morgan. His grandchildren were in turn blessed to have Mike as their Grandfather. Having family around, especially his grand children meant the world to him. Mike was always happiest when he spent time with his grand kids. Finding time to tell them stories, offer advice, a gentle nudge in the right direction, but mainly just listening to their "serious" questions as only a Grandpa can.
Mike looked at life as an adventure surrounded by family and trusted friends. He was always about having a simple life, loving Sachiko, spending time with family and working in his small garden growing Okinawan vegetables. Just accepting life and being. Along the way he was lucky enough to earn the titles of Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Mentor, Coach and finally Grandfather. In his granddaughter's, Haylee, words, "A freaking Legend!" Truly a life well lived even though he left this mortal coil way too soon.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, Bud Prosser, and his grandson, Christian Michael David Prosser. He is survived by his mother, Mary Jeanne Prosser of Independence, Mo. His beloved wife Sachiko, daughter Missy and son, Shawn and his wife, Tiffany of San Antonio, TX. His grandchildren Kaylin Rhea, Michael Evan, Stephen Aaron, and Haylee Morgan. His sister Linda Prosser and brother Steven Prosser. Mother-in-Law, Mori Hessell and the Toyama family of Yomitan-son, Okinawa.
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