W. Lael Prock, beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend, passed gently away on July 4, 2016.
Lael was born on February 9, 1941, in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, to Barbara West Prock and Walter Lael Prock Jr. After a brief evacuation to the mainland during the World War II the family moved to Aina Haina in East Oahu where Lael spent an idyllic childhood in paradise with his sister, Meredith, and the friends of his youth.
Lael attend Liliuokalani Elementary, Aina Haina Elementary, Stevenson Intermediate, Roosevelt High and finally Punahou School for his junior and senior years. Lael was active both in and outside the classroom, making lifelong friendships as a member of the Representative Assembly, newspaper and yearbook staffs, football manager, and the graduation committee.
The University of Oregon followed where he earned a master’s degree in Business Administration and along the way, to his everlasting joy, met Joyce Pearson. Lael and Joyce were married in June of 1964 in Medford, Oregon, before moving to Hawaii to continue their lives together. Lael began a career in marine transportation with Young Brothers and later with Dillingham. In 1968, Lael and Joyce welcomed their first son, Christopher, into the family, and then in 1970, their second son, Eric. In 1972, Lael accepted an opportunity to transfer to Seattle, Washington, to continue his career with Dillingham, and later with Alaska Marine Lines. Lael and Joyce settled on Mercer Island and soon welcomed their third son, Sumner, into the family in 1974 and their daughter, Jolā, in 1976.
The years that followed brought all the happiness and joys of raising a family until 1989 when Lael and his family suffered the devastating loss of Joyce, their wonderful and devoted wife and mother, to cancer. The next few years were difficult for the family culminating when Lael himself was also diagnosed with cancer. However, with a dedicated spirit, along with the support of his family, friends, and a talented team of doctors, Lael overcame long odds and became a cancer survivor.
Lael would happily find love again, marrying Michelle Maurer in 1995, and adding three wonderful stepchildren, Ericka, Alyson, and Tyler to the family. In 2000 Lael retired from his professional endeavors to focus on enjoying time with his growing family, his friends, and his passion for golf.
Lael spent the later years of his life as a devoted and doting Granddad who reveled in spending as much time as possible with his 11 grandchildren. His home on Mercer Island was often overflowing with family during holidays and special events. Lael’s vision for his family included the building of a vacation home in Eastern Washington designed to serve as another gathering spot for the entire family during the summer months.
Lael is survived by his wife Michelle; his four children, Christopher (Melissa), Eric (Tracy), Sumner (Marianna), and Jolā (Curtis); his three stepchildren Ericka (Don), Alyson (Ed), and Tyler; his 11 grandchildren, Griffin, Logan, Stella, Sophia, Marisa, Sadie, Clara, Cooper, Gabriel, William, and Mckenna; his sister Meredith ... and a host of dear friends.
He will be remembered as a husband … a father … a brother … an icon of strength and courage … a singular man. His memory will forever live on.
Lael will be interred at the Oahu Cemetery in paradise. A private family memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the following charities:
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
www.FredHutch.org
The Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center is dedicated to the elimination of cancer and related diseases as causes of human suffering and death. The Hutch conducts research of the highest standards to improve prevention and treatment of cancer and related diseases.
Donations may be made directly at the above website by clicking the Donate Now button and the selecting the link "to make a gift in honor or memory."
The Kokua Foundation
PO Box 4038
Honolulu, HI 96812
The Kokua Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation founded to provide scholarships to talented students wishing to attend Punahou School who would otherwise be unable to do so.
Donations may be mailed directly to the address listed above with a note indicating "in memory of W. Lael Prock."
Among Lael's papers he had inserted this poem, to be found by family. Please click on the image to see an enlarged copy.
I know I've been thinking of the happy memories often lately. The irony is they make me sad and wish for more. But I'm thankful the many memories I have with Lael. I know we all are.
A series of photos of my life with my terrific big brother who was there for me every day of my life. I will miss him for the rest of my life.
Since I was there at the beginning of the Summer Golf Groups outings, we had many many laughs and fun golf, not serious golf but fun golf. Laughs were provided by Tom Dozal and his never ending jokes, long time 19th Hole, great meals and of course, "Joke for a Gift" which highlighted our early outings. Health ended my golf and you took over as a supreme coordinator of subsequent gatherings and kept the group going for many years. I always enjoyed getting together with you for an update.
Lael, you will be greatly missed but I have many lasting memmories of you for me to draw from when I need a good laugh. I met your sons during our trips and I hope they took lessons from someone other than you. They loved you dearly and showed it on every bad shot you made or score you posted, always a hug for dad. Your family made you a very lucky man and they were just a lucky to have you as a husband, father and grandfather.
You will be with my thoughts for ever as when ever I need a laugh or thinking of a good experience, your image will be there with that "OREGON" shirt instead of a fine "WSU" one.
Blain
