On June 9, 2023, Michael John Prudhomme passed away at the age of 72. Known as Mike to his friends and family, he was born on August 25, 1950, to Chester Joseph Prudhomme and Patricia Neil Stewart. He grew up in Kennewick, Washington, with his three brothers.

After earning his bachelor's degree at Central Washington University, Mike taught special education in Randall then returned to the Tri-Cities, which would remain his lifelong home base. He spent his professional years in Pasco as a pre-school teacher at Longfellow Elementary then as an administrator for special programs. Eventually he became the Director of Special Education for several school districts. During recess on the Longfellow playground, he met his partner in love, life, and adventure: Suzanne Feeney. Together, they raised two children—Garth and Jennifer—and built a life brimming with good food, good company, and a whole lot of fun.

Mike was a foodie before the term even existed. He sang the praises of pickled pigs' feet, tacos de cabeza, and other delicacies, and he was eager to invite anyone he loved to taste something new with him. He was a masterful home cook who flexed his Cajun roots, filling the house with the aromatic scents of gumbo or juicy grilled steaks. At every Thanksgiving meal, he was the gravy taste-tester, making sure the all-important sauce was seasoned to perfection. However, like all great chefs, his…shall we say…avant-garde experiments didn't always pan out. One adventurous attempt featured a grilled head cheese sandwich; as soon as it hit the frying pan, the gelatin holding the meat bits together melted, stank, and burned into a mess that managed to look worse than the original ingredients.

While he stockpiled pickled foods and hot sauces his whole adult life, some of Mike's eclectic palate came from his travels around the world. He and Suzanne explored all seven continents by land and sea, including river cruises along the Amazon, walking tours of Parisian architecture, and bus trips around Eastern China. Wherever he went, Mike traded stories with fellow travelers and local bartenders, and he kept pictures of his four grandchildren in his wallet so he could brag about them to whomever would listen.

Mike loved playing his acoustic guitar and crooning along to classic rock on the radio. Even in the final years of his life, he decided to learn a new instrument: the harmonica. He watched all kinds of sports, especially women's collegiate sports. He was a loyal Seattle Seahawks fan for the entirety of their franchise, and he proudly represented the 12s at all three of their Super Bowl appearances—especially the joyous victory of Super Bowl XLVIII. Even posthumously, Mike is still angry about the sale of the Seattle Super Sonics by then-owner Howard Schultz.

Overwhelmingly, though, Mike had the biggest heart and would "never give up on any living thing," from the most stubborn children he taught in school to his temperamental bonsai trees. He had a special affection for dogs, especially his brilliant Samoyed, Sasha, who he raised while he was in college. Mike showed his love through actions—a letter, a warm meal, or a lesson in caulking a shed. He always had wisdom to share, too, such as extolling the practically unlimited uses for witch hazel.

Quick to laugh and join in on the fun, he drove bumper cars, held his own in water balloon fights, and taught his grandchildren how to play poker on warm summer evenings. The mantle of his and Suzanne's home is covered in photographs, hand-drawn birthday cards, and dark green MINI Cooper models—a tribute to his favorite car, and his love of classic car shows and museums.

It should come as no surprise that Mike was incredibly proud of his family's achievements, big and small. He always reminded them to take a break from work and play Wii Sports Bowling, to cannonball in a swimming pool and make the biggest splash possible, or to make a pit stop on a road trip and fully appreciate the SPAM museum. He is missed so dearly, but he will live on in the stories he told, the skills he passed on, and the quiet, steady murmur of any TV show in the background. We, and he, loved each other fiercely in the ways we knew how.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Patricia, and his youngest brother, Brian. His memory is carried on by his wife, Suzanne Feeney; his brothers Patrick Prudhomme and Chester "Prudy" Prudhomme; his sister-in-law Linda Prudhomme; his children, Garth Riley and Jennifer Hotes; his grandchildren, Ceri Riley, Lyra Riley, Nora Hotes, and Bryn Hotes; the students he taught; and everyone else who loved him.

In lieu of flowers and condolences, please remember Mike by eating your favorite food with your favorite people, and by traveling somewhere new just for the heck of it.

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