M.L. "Mike" Kirtley

died suddenly of a heart attack at 64 years of age. Husband, son, brother, father, step-father, uncle, he will be dearly missed by all his family and friends. He is survived by wife, Mary; mother, Maxine; children, Rivka, Jessica, Amanda and James; grandchildren Roxanne and Daxton; his best four-legged bud Jake; a large extended family and many, many friends. Late in life Mike found the work that he loved, substance abuse counseling. He joined old friends working at Crossroads Residential Treatment Center and was dedicated to the residents. He loved music and singing, often substituting his own lyrics. He loved telling stories and talking to people. He would go for walk-abouts, coming home with tales about who he met and what they talked about. He had a wonderful sense of adventure and saw the humor in all things. Mike had a strong sense of fair play and always stood up for the underdog. He was loyal, fearless and had a big, big heart. Every morning Mike would open the door and say, "Hello world, here I come." In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association or Sequoia Humane Society. "May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rains fall soft upon your fields, And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand" Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.