I started school with Mike's brother, Ronnie, in Glenpool's 1959 class of first graders. His other brother, Tony, was a year behind me in school. I played baseball with Ronnie and Tony in high school. Our folks used to visit during ball games. Mike was born when Ronnie, Tony, and I were about 8 or 9 years old. I can remember Mike running around Glenpool in diapers. I can remember Mike running around Glenpool with Alva Ray Shanks, Glenpool's local hippie faction. I liked both of them. They were just good ol' ornery Glenpool boys. Just like me.
Yes, I've known Mike a long time. For the past nearly 20 years, I've watched Mike go to work. And for just as many years, I've watched Mike come home tired and dirty from work, go inside, clean up, and take care of Annette. Mike lived across the street from me here in Sapulpa for nearly 20 years. I'll miss chewing the fat with Mike in the front yard while sitting in the swing under the oak trees.
Mike was a dedicated family man. His children, Jacob and Kim, visited or stayed over regularly, especially Kim, who has given her life to caring for both Mike and Annette. Mike gave it everything he had to remain with them. They did everything they could to help him. Mike's family loved him enough to release him from the pain-wracked body that held his soul, his spirit, the essence of, not just who he was, but who he is and will be in his perfect, glorified body when they have their family reunion in Heaven. I hope to see you there along with a lot of folks from Glenpool, my people included.
