Michael Baker Sandidge

Michael “Mike” Baker Sandidge, 79, of Austin, Texas, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 19, at St. David’s South Austin Hospital. A lifelong Texan, he was born in Austin on October 15, 1946, to John C. Sandidge and Jean Baker Sandidge.

Mike graduated from Tivy High School in Kerrville in 1965. He married Janet Sue Holmes there on February 12, 1966. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Mike is survived by his daughters, Kelley Sandidge of Austin, Texas, Jill Sandidge of Kyle, Texas, and Amy Sandidge of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia; his sons-in-law, Miles Earney of Austin and Francisco Gonzales of Kyle; his grandchildren, Elowen Sandidge of Austin, and Aila Gessinger and Sydney Gessinger of Salt Spring Island; his sisters, Susan Stuckey of Lakeway, Texas, and Lucy Pearson of Kerrville, Texas; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Holmes Sandidge; his parents, John C. Sandidge and Jean Baker Sandidge; and his mother-in-law, Lucille Burris Holmes.

To say Mike had an adventurous life is an understatement. Even as young parents of three children, he and Janet traveled far and wide with their family. His career was equally wide-ranging— from scuba diving for NASA in St. John, Virgin Islands, to mining gold in Perú, to leading historic building restoration projects as a general contractor. He ultimately worked as a Master Electrician until his retirement.

Mike had a playful and silly streak, but he was also bright, introspective, and a deep thinker. He had natural abilities in music, art, and all things mechanical. He loved to sail, fish, garden, and tinker on multiple projects at once. Above all else, he loved his family, and he will be remembered for the many good times we shared.
A celebration of Mike’s life will take place on Sunday, May 3, at 1:00 p.m. at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center auditorium in Austin, Texas.