Donald John Prang

Donald John Prang was welcomed into the world on December 22,1934 to Julius and Helen (Okon) Prang in Warren, Michigan.

He was the youngest child of eleven, seven girls and four boys. Tragedy struck his family when he was only five years old when his father died, leaving his mother to raise him and all of his other siblings that still remained in the home. In a time when being a single mother was even more difficult, his mother was blessed to be one of the earliest recipients of the Social Security program in its infancy.

Perhaps these hardships shaped Don into the strong, tenacious, tough man that he was. There never appeared to be an obstacle or barrier that could hold him back. He did not wait for someone to show him the way. He fearlessly cut his own path through life.

He graduated from Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic High School in Detroit. He created his own path by being the first of his siblings to graduate high school. Armed with only a high school diploma, he began a career as a draftsman. Without formal training in this craft, Don taught himself the skills necessary to become a skilled draftsman in the automotive industry.

In 1957, Uncle Sam called upon him and he was drafted into the Army. The Army stationed him at Fort Knox, Kentucky and his life was forever changed. While there, this city boy met a beautiful country girl that was working as a secretary. She turned out to be the love of his life. Her name was Rita Imogene "Gene" Thompson. Gene saw past his tough exterior and was able to see so much more. He married her on June 4, 1960 and returned home to Warren, Michigan where they created a home of their own and started their family of 4 children, Greg (Sandra), Jeff (Ray), Joe (Hiromi) and Mary.

As a self-taught automotive engineer; Don was hired by Ford Motor Company sometime around 1972 as a process engineer. Following the Arab Oil Embargo, and the attending recession, Don was laid-off from Ford. Even that didn't knock him down. He started his own domestic cleaning company called Don Prang and Sons. He did eventually return to Ford. In the 70's, he attended Macomb Community College and earned his associates degree, proving to himself and others that learning never stops.

In 1984, Don and Gene embarked on a new adventure that provided them the opportunity to travel and see the world when Don accepted an assignment from Ford to transfer to Hiroshima, Japan. Again, creating a new path that would enrich and diversify, not only his life, but his entire family's life. After Japan, they moved to Germany for 6 years which allowed them to see much of Europe and the Mediterranean.

A few years after returning from Europe, Don was able to retire and resettled in Phoenix, Arizona. Don and Gene were happily enjoying retirement and the joy of being grandparents to 6 amazing grandchildren: Mei, Jei, Trey, Dan, Keisy and Makenna.

After 10 years in retirement, Gene began showing symptoms of dementia. The decision was made to move closer to his son Greg in Bellevue, Washington and his daughter Mary who would move there as well. Don was tireless in caring for Gene. He did all that he could for her and when he was unable, he made sure that she always had the finest care that was available. He never ceased to be there by her side. His love for her was apparent in his every action. They were married for 62 years and for the entirety, she remained the love of his life. Nothing in life, not even dementia changed that love.

On September 16, 2022, Don left this world. For those blessed to know him, he will never really be gone. He will live on forever in the lessons that he taught through the amazing example of his life and he will forever be a part of who we are and who we hope to become.