Mike Lawless

1951 - 2011

Melvin "Mike" Lawless, 59, passed away March 2, 2011, at his home in Two Rivers.
Mike was born in St. Maries, Idaho, June 13, 1951, to Jean and John Lawless. He attended school in St. Maries and Kamiah, Idaho and graduated from Kamiah High School.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and ultimately settled in his beloved Alaska that he loved so much.
He left behind eight devastated children who were the light of his life. Mike was a devoted father who absolutely adored his kids. You could see his eyes light up every time he spoke of any of them and he always found pride in all of their accomplishments, no matter how small. He considered his children his legacy and was thrilled each time a new grandchild was born. He loved all of his children and grandchildren and would have done anything in this world for any of them.
Mike was a well known musher who ran the Iditarod in 1986 and again in 1987. He carried on the trail with him a copy of the Bill of Rights, something which he firmly believed in and advocated. When asked what position he placed in the Iditarod, Mike's response was always, "I finished." It was an accomplishment that made him incredibly proud.
He won many dog mushing events and always found much joy and peace with the wind in his face alone on the trail with his dog team. Mike never met anyone he didn't leave an impression on. He was one of those unforgettable characters who were unlike anyone else, with his charisma, intelligence, quick wit and unmistakable crooked smile.
Mike will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, loyal and generous friend who was always willing to lend a hand. He was a man of his word and close friends have said "they broke the mold after Mike." He was strong both in body and mind and never allowed any hurdles to keep him from his objectives. He was a conversationalist who loved to "chew the fat" and would talk for hours on end with friends and family about everything from politics to baseball to astronomy to Tolstoy. Mike was intelligent and well read and fed his mind with knowledge of all kinds. There was hardly a topic you could discuss that Mike didn't know something, if not everything, about.
Mike was a true patriot with a passion for the preservation of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution for the country he was proud to call his home. He was highly respected by those who knew him and will be mourned by many.
He is survived by his devoted children, Ira, Tiffany, Melissa, Jackson, Nathan, Bernadette, Jeanne and Antonia; many precious grandchildren; and his loyal dog, Kobuk, who was with him until the end.
He was preceded in death by his parents whom he dearly loved.
Arrangements for a celebration of life are pending.