Roll Call Tribute

Michael Sawyer "Mike" Carson 

March 20, 1961 - June 30, 2024 

Michael Sawyer "Mike" Carson, a remarkable son, brother, friend, husband, devoted dog dad, and accomplished artist-educator-computer programmer-musician, passed away on June 30, 2024. Born on March 20, 1961, in El Dorado, Arkansas, Mike grew up in Houston, Texas, before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Texas A&M University in 1983.

Mike's career began in Los Angeles, California, with Arthur Andersen, where he was fondly regarded as "the amazing young man from Texas A&M." In 1986, he moved to Washington, DC, residing in a former art gallery in Dupont Circle, which provided the perfect backdrop for his budding artistry. His journey took him to Tunisia with the Peace Corps, where he learned beekeeping, assisted at a village school, and impressed the locals with his flawless Tunisian Arabic (and often being mistaken for CIA).

By 1989, Mike was in Toluca, Mexico, studying Japanese ceramics under the mentorship of Sensei Susuki at the Mokichi Okada Association. In 1990, he moved to New York City, living with his partner David Booz in the Chelsea Hotel and later in Alphabet City in the East Village. Mike balanced his time between his ceramic studio in Brooklyn and activism with ACT UP, leading and participating in significant protests that led to the reduction of AZT prices, the only AIDS drug available at the time.

In 1991, Mike and David moved to Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, where Mike worked for Arthur Andersen at client Indonesian Aerospace. Fluent in Indonesian, he continued his international journey, relocating to Lombok and Bali, where he and David started Nakal Pottery, a successful import-export business specializing in ceramics and carved stone.

Mike's passion for ceramics led him to Florence, Italy, in 1993, where he immersed himself in the local art scene and became fluent in Italian. His brother Rich was living in Milan at the time, and they enjoyed many European adventures together. Returning to Los Angeles in 1994, he continued to manage Nakal Pottery while engaging with tech startups in Santa Cruz. By 1996, he was back in New York City, creating beautiful mosaic screens and living in an old church.

The events of September 11, 2001, deeply affected Mike, leading him to pursue a master's in education from the University of Arizona. His goal was to educate young minds and contribute to a more peaceful world. In 2003, he founded Gunung Sapi Putih with several friends, a 40-acre artist retreat in the Santa Rita mountains outside of Tucson and began teaching calculus at Cienega High School in Vail, Arizona. It was during this time that he met his soul mate, Jack Pruitt.

In 2005, Mike played a key role in opening Empire High School, the first all-wireless, fully digital high school in the United States. He taught calculus, fine arts, and the Extended Learning Program, contributing to the Vail Theater of the Arts with a mosaic door entrance.

Mike's zest for life was evident in his world travels, artistic endeavors, and passion for education. He took students on trips to Italy and Mexico, and travelled extensively with friends and family, constantly seeking out and creating sublime (and often crazy) experiences. His intelligence was unparalleled, with scores in language, math, and logic testing placing him in the top 5%. He was also an inspirational polyglot (Spanish, Indonesian, Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, French, Italian).

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Richard Lee Carson. He is survived by his dedicated husband of 21 years, Jack Dwayne Pruitt, and their five beloved dogs: Ajax, Xolotl, Beau, Scout, and Mr. T. He is also survived by his mother Ann Hickox Carson, his older brother Richard Louis Carson (and husband Jack Donahue), his younger brother Christopher Scott Carson (and wife Sandra Wind-Carson), and their three daughters, Emma Rose Carson, Mente Lisa Carson, and Maya Sibelle Carson. Additionally, he is survived by his stepmother Mary Ann Carson, and her children Alan Craig Palmer (and wife Marie Corazon Palmer) and Billie Jo Rivera (and husband Leo Rivera). Finally, he is survived by his sister-in-law Prim Walters (and wife Stephanie Forman). Beyond family, Mike developed many, many friends and inspired fellow teachers and students alike. Mike touched countless lives with his creativity, intellect, and boundless spirit, leaving an indelible mark on the world. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

Donations in Mike's memory can be sent to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: www.michaeljfox.org.