Creative, energetic, intelligent, fun-loving, compassionate
Michael was an “enthusiastic child and young adult with a real zest for life,” his mother, Debra, remembers. He moved through the world with energy, warmth, and compassion. His smile was a blast of sunshine.
As a baby, Michael had spinal meningitis and spent a month in intensive care. It was a difficult start, but he moved forward and grew into a boy who became a scout and an altar boy. He left school during his senior year and found his passion working in restaurants, and was an excellent cook. He would share whatever he had with others.
Michael loved saltwater fish tanks, gardening, drawing, and biking. In more recent years, he especially enjoyed tie-dyeing and drawing trees. He was musical and artistic.
Some of the memories his family treasures most are simple ones. On Saturdays, he would bring home flowers he found that florists were throwing away. They were beautiful. He helped at the food co-op and often brought home fresh fruits and vegetables. On one camping trip, when there wasn’t money for fishing poles, he bought a spool of fishing line and a hook and managed to catch a fish or two. He always made things work.
Michael was a faithful and loyal lifetime partner to Missy Sader. He loved being a dad to his son, Jayden, now 21, and they spent time together gaming and enjoying their pets. Being a good father mattered deeply to him.
Michael lived with the disease of addiction on and off from the age of 15. Over the years, his family saw changes in him. He had once been full of energy and light; slowly that light faded. For his family, the hardest part was feeling powerless. The disease won, and they lost him.
Michael’s sister, Nikki, was a year and a half older and died of an overdose a year and a half before Michael, both at age 42. Losing both children has been devastating for their mother.
Michael’s last to his mom said, “Mom, I’m going to get sober. I am going to do it with trees.” He had plans. He wanted to own a business one day.
After Michael’s death, Debra went back to being a counselor in a rural clinic. She sometimes feels her children encouraging her and at times, she thinks she catches a glimpse of them. Michael is remembered for his creativity, his generosity, and the warmth he brought into a room. His life was much more than his disease.
Michael’s mother, Debra Murray, provided the information for this narrative.
June 10, 1980–January 10, 2023-Age 42
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
