Michael Happy Pritchard

Michael Happy Pritchard, longtime resident of Morongo Valley and beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away on January 18th, 2025, from respiratory failure following a long battle with COPD.
He was born in Oakland, California, on May 30, 1945, to Gilbert H. Pritchard and Mary E. (Reitinger) Pritchard.
The majority of Michael's adventurous childhood was spent outdoors as much as possible in El Monte and Baldwin Park. Eight years at Nativity School were followed by 4 years at Our Mother of Good Counsel Seminary High School in Warrenton, Missouri. Upon graduating in 1963, he made the decision not to pursue life as a priest. Instead, he joined the Air Force in 1964, and spent much of his 4-year deployment in England and Turkey with his occupational specialty in Ground Radio Maintenance.
Michael married Teri in 1970, and the couple had two children, Erik M. (1971) and Amy E. (1973). After Michael and Teri parted ways, Michael married Maria E. Centofanti in 1983. They had three children: Gilbert L. (1984), Rachel M. (1986), and Joseph A. (1987). The family resided in San Bernardino until 1990.
Michael possessed inherent skills that made it possible for him to succeed in anything he would set his hand to. He was therefore able to work at many different jobs in his lifetime. At one point, he restored pool tables, poker tables and even 1950's jukeboxes. He and Maria also operated a small gift store selling handmade items and works of art through their company M & M Productions, while in the evenings teaching wood carving and painting. He was a hands-on Dad from the moment his children were born and always made time to support them in their learning. A mighty encourager of outside-the-box thinking, he was also a strict believer in foundations. His children, their cousins and even their friends sitting at our table knew they'd "blown it" the moment one let slip a question. Inevitably the words would come: "Look it up!" No one escaped having to fetch the 500-page dictionary in the middle of dinner and having to read aloud that endless definition. Michael was a talented woodworker, woodcarver, sculptor, and watercolorist. He looked at the world with an artistic eye and imagination to spare. He patiently supported Maria, a teacher, especially when asked to create props for school plays (often at the last minute).
In 1990, the family moved to Morongo Valley, and it would become the home he loved. He was often heard saying with a big smile while gazing all around: "Does it get any better than this?"
Michael was a devout Catholic with faith profound and unwavering since childhood. It filled him with joy to attend daily Mass, especially when Morongo Valley's little St. Michael's Church on Navajo Trail was open, and where he enjoyed doing repairs.
Michael loved God and his family and the company of his friends, a few of whom he had known for over 50 years. He laughed loudly, often and much, and he prayed for everyone.
On the night of January 18th, Michael passed from death unto the life he believed in and hoped for, eternal and infinitely better! We miss him so much but are comforted knowing he is now healed and reunited with his beloved daughter Rachel, as well as his parents and other family members and friends who have gone before him.
He is survived by his loving wife Maria, his daughter Amy Presidio (Sloan), sons Erik Pritchard (Jenece), Gilbert Pritchard (Elizabeth), and Joseph Pritchard (Emanuela), his brother Peter Pritchard (Kathy) and two sisters, Sherry Rosette and Shelley Dowling (Patrick), as well as seven grandchildren: Gabriel, Dominic, Alessio, Caruso, Zelmira, Olivia and Lars, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A Memorial Mass will take place at 11 A.M. Saturday, July 12th at St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church, 7495 Church St., Yucca Valley (Rosary at 10:30). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael's memory to St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church.