Mike proudly served his country in the Army’s “Proud Americans” 6th Howitzer Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Unit. While stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, he served as an honor guard. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1967, and returned in 1968, always speaking with pride about his service in the military.

Not only was he my husband, he was my soul mate, the love of my life, and my best friend. He was charming, very loving, tender and caring. Oh, what a personality he had and what great times we had together! Mike was one of the funniest people you would ever want to meet. He had a special talent for making me and other people laugh, and had such a dry, hilarious, sense of humor and what a practical joker. He is remembered for his stories, and love for the outdoors and hunting.

Mike took early retirement in 2004 and we moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas in May 2005. He was the general contractor and built the dream home we designed on our beautiful mountain just outside of town. We moved in May 2006, with great plans of spending time with Mike’s son, his wife, and our two grandchildren.

On March 24, 2008, Mike had a severe hemorrhagic stroke and my world ended. There was nothing the doctors could do.  The shock was overwhelming. I was allowed to see him as often as I wanted, and his family and friends were given the time to visit too. That 24-hour period was so precious to me. Not only did I have the time to hold him and be with him, but it also gave me time to accept his death and come to terms with what had happened.  Early on the morning of March 26, 2008, Mike was taken to surgery and the donation process began.

Mike gave the GIFT OF LIFE by donating his kidneys: one to a 66-year-old man and the other to a 66-year-old woman.  Knowing that he saved two people’s lives, giving them a chance at continued life and hope for a future, and that a part of him lives on, is comforting to us.

In 2015 my family and I were privileged to attend the Pasadena Rose Parade to help decorate the Donate Life Float and to read dedications for the roses we placed in the Dedication Garden for Mike and others.  New Year’s Day we proudly watched through tears as the float passed by displaying our hero’s floragraph.

God gave me a purpose, a reason to go on and a mission to continue my life volunteering my time and efforts for Arora and other groups to promote donation whenever and wherever I can.  I once heard that no one wants to be a part of this community but once you are you never want to leave it.  God’s plan for me has made me a better person ~ I am truly grateful.

Mike will forever live on in our hearts and memories.