As a teenager I looked up to mike as a friend and as an example of how a young man should behave. Mike was physically strong and strong in the Lord. I have great memories of lifting weights and playing football on Sunday afternoons with Mike, Laurel and the youth from Valley Free Methodist Church.

I’ll never forget the day Mike rolled up in his brand new Z28 Camaro (I think it was a 1978). It was maroon and had a real fine rumble to the engine. He drove that car with great restraint, I didn’t understand at the time how he could keep from mashing the gas pedal. He seemed to have a great sense of maturity.

Mike took me on an overnight rabbit hunting trip in the hills outside of Humboldt. We used the Willies Jeep that had belonged to his grandfather and drove many miles past the end of the road. We drove over bushes and ravines to a secluded valley where we camped under the stars. We were quickly disturbed by movement in the bushes above our heads. After several minutes of low level fear and a few shots fired from my 22, discovered it was just a mouse moving around in the bushes several inches from our heads. We had a great laugh!

I am very grateful for those years with Mike as a friend and mentor. Thanks Buddy–

Tim DeSpain