Michael Fahrion's Obituary
In Memory of MichaelBy Muriel FahrionWeeks before he died, Michael had a reoccurring dream in which his boyhood Summer stream “Fish Creek” (pronounced in that West Virginia way “Fish Crick”) merged into his later in life hometown of “Medicine Creek”. This dream was very much his true circle of life.There was so much foreshadowing with Michael’s childhood in McMechin and Moundsville West Virginia. As a boy, he was an imaginative daydreamer, reenacting cowboy movies at Sunday school instead doing bible studies. Then as an adult moving to Medicine Park in 2002, he joined the Medicine Park Marauders Wild West reenactment group. He quickly became intrinsic to the group, writing scripts for the ridiculous acts and starring as Marshall Payne — I of course was soon roped in to the joyful fun as well as the outlaw Lil’ Britches.As a young teenager in Moundsville West Virginia, Michael joined an adult art club and painted scenic West Virginia. In Medicine Park, he returned to his painting, beautifully capturing the wonderment of Wichita Mountains in oil paint on canvas.In the summer of his youth along the shores of Fish Creek, Michael was an angler alongside his Grandpa “Tug”. He would wait sitting in front of his house until his favorite cousin Jim’s family would come to pick him up to take him down to Fish Creek. He followed that passion the rest of his life, bringing his son, Colin Fahrion, along to fish for walleye and perch in Lake Erie. One of his prize walleye catches in Lake Erie even won him a “Fish Ohio”.On our first visit to Medicine Park, I could see the glimmer of boyhood glee in his eye as he looked upon the creek that ran through it. When we finally moved and retired there he would take regular fishing outings catching rainbow trout in Medicine Creek and crappie in Lake Lawtonka. In a strange wonderful bit of coincidence, his best fishing buddy in Medicine Park was also named Jim.Michael’s career centered around commercial art and design. Working first in advertising studios and later as a freelancer. However in truth his creative talents extended to all kinds of creative pursuits: photography, woodcarving, painting, metal work, jewelry making (many of the pieces made for me), poetry, tile making, computer programing, and gourmet cooking. Shown once how to do things, he could do them. When he decided to do a thing he did it and did it well, reading as much as he could on the topic and practicing till he got it right. He was an expert on the Civil War and knowledge about many other military actions both American and foreign. He was a voracious reader of science fiction, mysteries and nonfiction, reading about two books a week. He would often pass his books on to his son, Colin, who has taken up the same love of reading.Michael and I met on a blind date at the Norris family annual clambake. He was very shy but I soon realized his brilliance and overflowing knowledge on many different subjects — and he was clearly a nice guy on top of that. He was relentless in his pursuit of me and he won me over but I was the one that popped the question. He said he was afraid to ask and feared I’d say no. We were partners and yet remained ourselves through our relationship that spanned 50 years.Over the years, Michael and I attended dozens of concerts first as aficionados of hippie generation music with a few classical events thrown in. Later living in Medicine Park we were lucky to have hundreds of musical acts grace the stage in the center of town. We would just drive down our mountain road with our camp chairs and take in the fun and fabulous music.We ALWAYS had great times traveling. Most trips involved art museums, historic sites, nature and gardens, antique shops and shows and local eateries. And if we could take in the local music we did.Michael was a stay at home dad before it was popular. As I worked 9 to 5, he would do freelance at our studio at home, deliver a forgotten lunch to the school, shop for groceries, prepare dinner, manage the finances, make the kids halloween costumes and so much more. His cooking skills grew over time, making fabulous dinners and famously delicious muffins for Sunday brunch. My daughter once said if it wasn’t for Michael we would have to get “Meals on Wheels”. And yes Michael loved his kids, Colin Fahrion and Kim Fahrion. Michael was their “answer man” and their parent that was always consistent. The guy they could count on. He was also the parent that paced the floor worrying if they were 15 minutes late.Michael never lost contact with his family. His sister L Jane (Fahrion) Zucosky, although 12 years apart, has strong family ties. His cousins were often like siblings because of their summers spent together at Fish Camp. We never missed a major Holiday while we lived in Ohio without seeing his folks. My family was also his family. He comfortably fit in with my sibs and my parents.His friendships were slow builds but once formed the foundations were solid and lasting. He could be called on any time to help and he would be there for family or friends.I’ve shared a long wonderful life with him. At 76, he was young by some standards but he was loved by so many people and he lived a full life. He traveled to so many places, unleashed so much creativity, read more books than anyone we knew, fished so many streams, rivers, and lakes, and taught so many lessons to his children about how to live, love and laugh — oh the dad jokes! His life was filled to overflowing and I am grateful to have shared it with him.No services planned at this time.
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