My brother Mike is an amazing man.
Mike honored God, family and country.
Mike's loyalty was unwavering. Mike was a man of few words. Quiet and respectful.
Mike grow up riding bikes, homemade skate boards. He played football, baseball. He loved to hunt & fish, riding dirt bikes, watching NASCAR and even WWF.
Mike grew up with a strong sense of family, a family that loves and respects each other.
Mike missed our father. He would quietly speak of him, we'd shared a few laughs over stories and shared memories about dad over the last several months.
Mike's love for mom runs deep. He told me on several occasions," Mom is the best mom he could have ever wished for". Mom worked tirelessly, Mike told me she could not do enough for him these past 2 years, on a daily basis. It had been harder these last few months.
Mike loved Psalms read to him. He sat quietly and read from the Daily Bread. He would ask questions about certain people in the bible and subjects.
Mike loved family holidays, time spent together meant the world to him. He showed his love in many ways.
I remember him loving to take family to the airport and staying to wait and watch until that plane took off.
He kept ALL his Birthday cards and Christmas cards.
He loved dogs, called them pupper dogs.
Mike loved to cook. He was a great cook, pastries to fine dining.
Mike loved one woman his entire life. Kelly McKlintock-Sherman. Mike called on her when his world started to implode. Kelly took him to his first appointments, was there when Mike received the news, Colon Cancer.
Mike hadn't told us yet, he didn't want to spoil the trip mom and I were making that year to Maine, two years ago. He wanted to hear about the trip when we returned, just like this year. Then he asked me stay awhile and he told me his earth shattering news.
He loved his best friend David Drenning. They did pretty much everything together. Hunting, fishing, went to the movies. Even took trips together through Colorado, Utah & Nevada. He had some stories to tell when they came back. I wish I would have listen better.
Mike lost David to cancer. He felt this loss until he himself went home to be with the Lord on September 12th. Mike appreciated his friends, Todd came to visit Mike before his health started to rapidly decline. John Roundtree came over and spent time with Mike. Others came as well. I am afraid I cannot remember all their names. God Bless you all for making the time to stop by and spend time with your friend.
Mike, I love you and will miss you until I am home with you in heaven.
◄ 2 Corinthians 5:8 ►
New Living Translation
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.