Mike was born in Phoenix, Arizona to V. June Roe and Walter J. Canney. When he was 3 years old his mother had remarried to Sheldon Prill and the family moved to the Pacific Northwest settling first in Diamond Lake, Washington, then Oldtown, Idaho and then Priest River, Idaho where Mike graduated high school in 1964.
At age 17, Mike enrolled in the Army and was stationed in Viet Nam as an Electronic Signal/Morse Interceptor. His career in the Army took him to many duty stations all over the world – Thailand, Japan, Guatemala, Bolivia, and more ending his 20 year career in San Antonio, Texas as an Electronic Signal Chief. Mike had an ear for languages and delighted in sharing his knowledge with his siblings and others.
After retiring from the Army, Mike moved to Lynwood, Washington, went to community college, and landed a job with the Washington State Employment Security Department. In 2000, Mike moved to Spokane, Washington. He retired from the state of Washington while there.
Mike was a strong Christian and always said he felt blessed to be able to live without financial concerns. So when God placed people in his way to help, he did so – freely – offering whatever help he could to those in need.
He generously helped his family as well, helping Sherrie get through college, and helping his parents purchase a house. At one point, he would give $100 anonymously to people at the grocery store to pay for the person behind him. He never thought twice. He gave money for food, gas, down payments, gave small gifts and hearty love. Everyone he met was a friend, a “good guy”, “my good friend”, a “pretty lady”, a “sweetheart”. He showed Christ’s love by giving.
After retiring, Mike had several interests that meant a lot to him. He was active in his family and his church, supporting the police department through SCOPE in the Spokane Valley, and was the force behind the Child Identification program which he insisted should be done at several venues in the Spokane Valley (always making sure his church be included according to Margaret). He was active in Wounded Warrior project and scrupulously defended Vietnam Veterans when needed.
He enjoyed showing off his cooking skills and family gatherings. His family always looked forward to his famous Fajitas and his mashed potatoes. If you were a Facebook friend you were privy to regular updates on current plates of food. “Sliced avocado, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato. Bury it in mayonnaise. It don’t get no better than that!” Or, “French vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and my butt in my easy chair. It don’t get no better than that.”
Mike never married, but he loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own children and was there with open arms to hold the babies and encourage the older ones. He ‘adopted’ the kids in his apartment complex and taught any who had the patience how to play cribbage.
He is survived by many siblings: two sisters, Sherrie Elmēr of Federal Way, Washington, and Jacilyn J. Stevens of Laclede, Idaho, and one brother, Gregory G. Prill of Camp Verde, Arizona.
His Texas family includes sister Camellia Goldspink of LaVernia, Texas and brothers Gregory Canney and Patrick Canney both of Magnolia, Texas.
He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews and great-grands as well. He will be missed by so many people who were lucky enough to cross his path.
Memorial Service for Mike will be April 21, 2018 at 1 PM at Advent Lutheran Church- 13009 E. Broadway Ave, Spokane Valley, Wa. 99216.
Donations accepted for American Diabetes Association in Mike’s name.
As nephew Joseph said so well, “ We will meet again good sir! Your watch has ended soldier, you have been relieved of your duties. Hooah Uncle Mike!”
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