Michael Jefferson Boone, whose kindness, ethical strength and generous spirit enriched people all over the world for 59 years, died of brain cancer on Thursday, February 14, 2013, surrounded by loving family.
He is survived by Susan, his spouse of 34 years, daughter Allison and husband Homer Brothers of Houston, daughter Jessica and husband Ryan Murray of Austin, grandsons Ollen and Jefferson Brothers; and siblings Patricia Wilson and family, Martha Mattia and family, and John Boone and family; stepfather Ralph Long and stepsiblings Sue, Doug, Steve and Kevin Long and their families; and numerous friends worldwide.
Mike was born in Amarillo and grew up in Libya, Australia, and the United States. He and Susan met at the University of Texas in Austin, where both were members of the Longhorn Band, and they married in 1978. Grounded by a concussion during middle school, he built a remote control switch for managing lights, fans and doors from his bed. That was the beginning of his love for electricity, and he spent his career bringing power to Houston. Upon graduation from UT in electrical engineering, he joined Houston Lighting & Power, which became CenterPoint Energy. Mike served as the company's director of Automated Meter System deployment. The company family was a huge part of his life for 34 years.
He was a leader in every facet of his life. He was a long-term member and former chair of the Houston section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He was president, treasurer, and section director of Spring Shadows Civic Association and president of Super Neighborhood North. He was active in many volunteer endeavors including United Way and March of Dimes. He twice biked with Susan in the MS 150 from Houston to Austin. He assisted nationwide during power emergencies, including leading power restoration efforts in the Bellaire service area following Hurricane Ike.
During his lifetime, Mike traveled to all seven continents, most recently to Antarctica with Susan last November. He loved exploring contemporary theology with his Sunday evening book group and was the patriarch of a large extended family. With his typical generosity, Mike chose to donate his body for medical research.
A Vigil Prayer Service and reception will be held Tuesday, February 19, at 6 p.m., at St. Catherine of Siena, 10688 Shadow Wood Drive, Houston.
A Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, February 20 at the church at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike's honor may be made to Sight Into Sound, 3935 Essex Lane, Houston TX 77027, www.tapingfortheblind.org/donate.html, or United Way, www.unitedwayhouston.org.
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Published in Houston Chronicle from Feb. 16 to Feb. 17, 2013
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