Obituary Detail


Jon Michael Prescott Ph D. - 68
6/17/1939 - 6/2/2008

DeKalb, IL - DeKalb, IL – Jon Michael Prescott Ph D. (Mike) age 68 of DeKalb, IL, died on Monday June 2, 2008 in the comfort of his home. Born on June 17, 1939 in Amarillo, TX, he was the son of Clarence and Zeta (Keller) Prescott.
Mike was married to Semra Prescott on June 27, 1974 in Ankara, Turkey. He was a dedicated scientist and researcher with a love for things that grow, world travel and fine cuisine. Mike spent the early years of his life in Texas where he learned the value of hard work on the family ranch. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Eldorado as a fire control technician (1960-62). Mike went on to obtain his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State in Horticulture (1965); Masters Degree in Plant Pathology (1967); and Ph D. in Plant Pathology with a minor in Plant Breeding & Genetics from the University of Minnesota (1969). He moved to New Delhi, India in 1969 to establish the Indian Disease Surveillance Program with the Rockefeller Foundation. Mike relocated to Ankara, Turkey in 1971 serving as International coordinator of the Regional Disease Surveillance Project in 54 developing nations. Mike traveled the world improving crop disease resistance in developing nations to better sustain human population. In 1982, Mike and his family relocated to Mexico City, Mexico where he served as the Seed Health Officer and Head of the Wheat Pathology Program. After nearly 20 years abroad, Mike & family relocated to DeKalb, IL (1987) where he retired as Director of Intl Technical Services for DeKalb Genetics Corp/Monsanto (1999). Mike was a member of the American Phytopathological Society, American Society of Agronomy, Indian Phytopathological Society, Turkish Phytopathological Society, Sigma Xi and Gamma Sigma Delta Fraternities. He authored and co-authored 42 professional publications. Mike enjoyed gardening and helping others as an Illinois Master Gardener in retirement.

Survivors include: wife: Semra of DeKalb, children: Jon Prescott Jr (Chris) of Richmond VA, Jeffrey Prescott (Anabeth) of NJ, Brian Prescott (Michele) of Plainfield IL. grandchildren: Jackson, Harmony, Nathan, Natalie. Preceded in death by: parents

Funeral service and burial will be held on Friday June 6, 2008 at 11:00am in Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb with Father Kenneth Anderson officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday June 5, 2008 from 4:00PM till 7:00PM in the Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to TAWSF (in memorial of the J.M. Prescott Scholarship Fund). To send an online condolence visit: www.ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to: Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815)758-3841.

Visitation:
Visitation will be held on Thursday June 5, 2008 from 4:00PM till 7:00PM in the Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home.

Graveside Service:
Funeral service and burial will be held on Friday June 6, 2008 at 11:00am in Fairview Park Cemetery with Father Kenneth Anderson officiating.

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Visitor Comments
I am the daughter of Dr. Robert Glenn/Mrs. Bobbie Anderson. My father worked for Rockefeller Foundation with Mike Prescott in India. I am very sorry to hear of his death. Semra, we have never met, but I have heard many good things about you over the years, and how happy you and Mike were together. Please accept the condolences of the Anderson family. Dawn, Scott, Alison and Laurie
Alison Anderson-Gilmour
6/5/2008 12:28 PM
 
There are a few families who's names go back to my earliest memories. They include the Prescott's, the Anderson's, the Wright's, the Leeuwrik's and my family, the Saari's. (A few others joined in along the way!) All of these families have lost loved ones, most of them too soon. Semra, Jon, Jeffrey and Bryan take care and know that your husband/father was a great man who contributed much to the world but more to his family and friends. He will be missed. Jena Saari McDonnell, Little Rock, Arkansas
Jena Saari McDonnell
6/5/2008 5:42 PM
 
There are a few families who's names go back to my earliest memories. They include the Prescott's, the Anderson's, the Wright's, the Leeuwrik's and my family, the Saari's. (A few others joined in along the way!) All of these families have lost loved ones, most of them too soon. Semra, Jon, Jeffrey and Bryan take care and know that your husband/father was a great man who contributed much to the world but more to his family and friends. He will be missed. Little Rock, Arkansas
Jena Saari McDonnell
6/5/2008 5:43 PM
 
It was such a coincidence that while going through my cards, I came across Mike Prescott's one and wanted to send an email. Dear Ms. Semra, though we have never met, Mike to used to talk about you and the kids. Kindly accept our condolensces. My association with Mike dates back when I started my career in EID parry (I) Bangalore, India. He set an example to us by his dedicated work and he was never complained about anything. MIke was very keen observer and loved Indian food. We alwasy made sure he was ordered the normal chilly food. It brings back the memories when we visited Corn, sorghum and sunflower trials from Bellary to hyderabad to Bihar. May his soul rest in peace. Now that I have moved to Thailand, my former colleagues would surely agree with me that it was great to be assocaited with Mike. nivmanju@yahoo.com, Chumphae, Thailand
Dr.Manjunatha S Rao
12/22/2008 3:55 AM
 

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Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home
310 Oak Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-758-3841