Obituary of Michael Pratt White
Born July 15th, 1947 In Mesa, Arizona to Carl Richard and Faye Merkley White
1964 Graduate of Westwood High School in Mesa
Honorably Served in the United States Army, 101st Airborne as an RTO and Sniper during the Vietnam War where he received a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal with V Device and a Purple Heart among other honors and medals.
He worked briefly in Transportation and construction upon return from Vietnam before going on to become a Pro Fisherman for Ranger Boats.
Michael's love for all things Fishing led to multiple lifelong friendships, and after retiring became a hobby instead of a profession
Michael was preceded in Death by his parents, brothers Howard "Dougy" and Monty Griffeth, and a son Jimmy.
Michael is survived by his eternal companion Ellen Anderson White, of Mesa
Sons Derik (Beth) of Tinnie,NM , Michael Jr (Shayna) of Tempe AZ and Kevin (Ashley) of Tempe AZ, Daughter Roxanna of Alamogordo, NM
19 Grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren
Bonus Sons
Nathan Creamer ( Kim )of Hoschton, GA
Jeremy Vasquez of Mesa AZ
Bonus Daughters
Katherine Vasquez of Mesa, AZ
Jennifer Vasquez of Mesa, AZ
Bonus Brothers
James Anderson (JoAnn) of Wingate, NC
Joel Anderson (Leah) of Huntsville, AL
Jay Anderson (Cynthia) of Kalkaska, MI
Tom Loughran (Maureen)
Sisters
Heather Lorenz
Vonika Meason
Erika Finch
The family is eternally thankful for those home Caretakers, Physicians and Nurses who have unselfishly provided ongoing care, at even a moments notice while off duty, for Michael. For each of those members of our Ward who delivered meals, stopped by to visit, and offered Heavenly Father's blessings~ Rest assured that your loving care left him here for as long as Heavenly Father wanted him here, we would have lost him long ago without you.
More than these, we are so thankful for the rich blessings our Heavenly Father proffered us. Michael has been sick since 2018! He battled exacerbation of Respiratory failure too many times to count, He conquered COVID after 6 hospitalizations, including one time being on a vent, he was recently diagnosed with Heart failure but was brought under medical control very quickly. More times than I can recall, prayers for Heavenly Father's intervention went out across the country, and every time Michael came home to us. Michael had improved enough after his last hospitalization (he had been hospitalized 11 times since April) to spend the Christmas and New Years holidays with his family and friends, and more so to take a fishing trip with 2 of his sons, and on that da, no more than 1 hour into his beloved fishing, he was called home from the place he loved the most; the LAKE, doing what he loved most, FISHING; with people he loved the most, his FAMILY!
In this moment, our loss is only relieved by our love and faith in our Heavenly Father's plan. People who truly knew Michael have spoken to us over the past few days, AMAZED, that Heavenly Father offered these final blessings to one of His most cherished sons~!
We thank each of you for taking this journey with us; for loving our curmudgeon as much we each did. Cherish that which is most important to Heavenly Father, His plan, and the earthly family you were sent to bless!
In lieu of flowers, please take a moment to think about donating to Phoenix Junior Bassmasters at Phoenixjuniorbassmasters.com or Cast for kids.org in Michael's name; there is nothing that would make him prouder than to know that he left behind a legacy of the love of fishing to children!
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