Michael Ray Prine

Michael R. “Mick” Prine, 79, peacefully passed away on November 18, 2025, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas, with his wife by his side. He was born on February 26, 1946, to a single mother in Wichita, Kansas, at the Children’s Service League. Hallie and Wilda Prine were overjoyed when they received the call that they had become the parents of a baby boy, and his adoption was finalized that June. They brought him home to Hugoton, where he grew up.

Mick attended Hugoton schools and graduated with the Class of 1964.

In 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, beginning a distinguished 40-year military career. During his time at Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri, he met and married Gayle Trainer of Fort Dodge, Iowa. To this marriage, four children were born: Toby, Heather, Shelly, and Nikki Prine.

Following their divorce, Mick returned to Hugoton in 1979. He rekindled a friendship with childhood friend Lynda Burditt Hall, and they married in August of that year. With their marriage, his family grew to include her children, Pat, Phil, and Cherie Hall.

Mick began working for Panhandle Eastern in 1980, serving at the Hugoton plant and its surrounding areas in Meade and Rolla, Kansas, as well as Snead, Texas. He remained with the company for 15 years. He later opened the Mick Prine Insurance Agency, which he operated for four years; before beginning a career as a crop adjuster for Farm Bureau and RCIS.

Mick retired from the Army Reserve in 2006 at the rank of Major, completing 40 years of honorable service. One of his most meaningful recognitions was receiving a Quilt of Valor, presented in gratitude for his dedication and sacrifice in service to the United States.

Throughout his military career, he earned numerous commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; the Army Achievement Medal; the Army Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star; and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device, along with many letters of commendation from brigade and division commanders. He often said he was most proud of his time as a Company Commander for an Army Basic Combat Training unit, guiding raw recruits through their transformation into trained Soldiers.

Mick loved hunting with the boys and taking his family on fishing and camping trips whenever he could gather everyone together. He enjoyed Country Western music and dancing, and he especially loved riding his Harley, cruising or taking trips with Lynda to New Mexico and Colorado. Camping was a favorite pastime, and he often brought along his beloved mother-in-law, Flossie “Granny” Burditt.

As the children grew and started families of their own, Mick cherished the holidays and gatherings that brought everyone home. He delighted in celebrating milestones, making memories, and welcoming new grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the family.

During his time at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home, Mick made many new friends and kept staff and caregivers entertained with his jokes, stories, and humor. He will be deeply missed by his family, many friends, and his faithful boys, Wiggins and TB.

Mick was a member of the First Christian Church; a past Master of Hugoton Masonic Lodge #406; and a member of the Southwest Shrine Club, the Shriners Motorcycle Unit, and the Fez Patrol.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilda and Hallie Reed Prine.

Mick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lynda; his children Toby (Jenny) Prine of Hays, Kansas; Heather (Kent) Waldron of Johnson, Kansas; Shelly Walton of Gardner, Kansas; Nikki (Charlie) Esquibel of Wichita, Kansas; Pat (Ladonna) Hall of Hugoton, Kansas; Phil (Connie) Hall of Woodland, California; and Cherie (Eddie) McLain of Augusta, Kansas. His beloved grandchildren also survive him: Makenzie Droste; Aidan, Hallie, and Landry Waldron; Taylor (Emerson) Campbell; Alec and Gracie Walton; Emily (Michael) Stefan; Andrew Prine; Lauren (Jacob) Carpenter; Logan Esquibel; Chase (Erin) Hall; Shalee (Cam) Gilter; Kate Hall; Tanner Hall; Kristin (Jason) Hill; Skylar (Jandy) McLain; Scarlette (Reese) Wagner; and Shiah McLain; as well as great-grandchildren Harrison Campbell; Eleanor and Matthew Stefan; Lyla Carpenter; Jaxx and Jett Woodington; Peyton and Cooper Gilter; Sophie, Evelyn, and Oliver Hall; David and Daisy McLain; River and Stella Wagner; Joey and Benji Hill; and two more expected in 2026. He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial has been established for the First Christian Church, Disabled American Veterans, and Pioneer Manor Nursing Home (Sunflower Unit), in care of Robson Funeral Home, PO Box 236, Hugoton, Kansas 67951.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 21, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Robson Funeral Home in Hugoton, with family receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Hugoton, with Pastor Bergen Morris officiating. Burial will follow at the Hugoton Cemetery. The United States Army Honor Guard and the Hugoton Masonic Lodge #406 will provide special honors in Mick’s memory.