Michael Stuart Blakely
memorial by Pastor Cody Banks
First Baptist Church Mulvane
Michael’s dad died when he was 12, and shortly thereafter, he and his family moved to Oklahoma. Michael and June met when he was 16 and June describes him as a quiet boy with a rebellious streak. They dated off and on for three years until Michael proposed to her. Three days later, they were married and Michael had made the decision to enlist in the Air Force.
Michael had four great influences on his family; his career, his wife, his children, and his faith. These four influences made Michael who he was at his best. He loved his service in the Air Force and served proudly. The discipline of the Air Force had a profound effect on young Michael, helping to shape his character, and distance him from the toxic behaviors of his youth. While enlisted, he worked as a wideband communications specialist while completing his bachelor’s degree. After graduating college in 1995, he went through Squadron Officer School and became a Supply Operations Officer. He began his new job in Abilene, TX for two years, then onto an assignment in Misawa, Japan for a year. In 1998, the family moved to Fort Walton Beach, FL for 3 years, before their final assignment in Hawaii. In 2005-2006, he spent one year at the US Embassy in Yemen where he earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. One year later, in 2008, he was again deployed, this time for 6 months in the Philippines. He retired as a Major in September 2009 after 20 years of service.
When Michael was at his best, he was a wonderful husband. June said he was not a flowers and chocolate type of guy, but he had his moments. For example, on their first Valentine’s Day, as teenagers, he baked her a frozen pizza and arranged the pepperonis arranged in a heart. In Hawaii, they had a tree outside the kitchen window that he kept trimmed into a heart shape. Michael adored June and would do anything for her. He was happiest when he was serving her; this was his “love language.” So June described him as house-husband…doing laundry, dishes, even cleaning the bathrooms.
When Michael was at his best, he was an amazing father. He loved to play with the girls; wrestling, bike riding, hiking, walking, and many a book read together. He loved to bake and was known for his world-class cinnamon rolls and cookies. June said that when the girls were small one of their favorite games to play with their dad was “dog catcher.” After turning all lights out, the girls pretended to be stray puppies, and dad was the dog-catcher. He used a blanket as his “net” and would search the house for his strays. When he found them, he would scoop them up in his blanket and bring them back to the pound.
The girls’ lives have been shaped by their good times with their dad. Lauren is interested in computers and politics because of her dad. Lindsey is pursuing zoology and is passionate about animals because her dad took her exploring, looking for bugs, lizards, toads, and any other living creature.
Good family memories include bonfires, kayaking, building sandcastles, bodysurfing, and watching the sunset behind their house on the beach. Michael was an avid runner and marathoner. While stationed in Hawaii he ran the Honolulu marathons each year and ran the local 5K’s just so he could get the free T-shirt. There was nothing Michael loved more than something free.
When Michael was at his best he was a wonderful husband, an amazing father, and he was a man of faith. It was during a family crisis that June gave her life to Christ. Michael saw this, and on his own followed her example. His faith showed out in his hospitality. He loved playing the host to company. He was a Sunday school teacher and an Awana leader. Michael’s faith in Christ showed out in very real ways.
While Michael’s life ended too soon, perhaps with relationships strained because of his choices, let us not forget who he was at his best. He was a man who was passionate about his family, a man who walked with Christ, and a man whose life was rich because of all of you.