Michael Wayne Morang was born July 28, 1947. On Sept. 5, 2009, his spirit joined the Holy Father's. Anyone who knew him knew Mike had his own way of doing things, and in the end, he still got his own way: After a brave, two-year battle with stage IV glioblastoma, he died in the home he'd worked hard for and raised a family in, precisely where he wanted to be. Mike was born in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He graduated from the high school there and went on to the University of Florida. He wanted to pursue a major in journalism, but found something better in his second year: Christine Miles, who became his wife. Together, they went back to Fort Lauderdale where, with help of his father, he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Their first child, Michael Junior, was born in 1968; a daughter, Heather, followed in 1971. In 1973, Mike moved his family to Washington State, first to Longview, and finally to a farmhouse in Winlock in 1977, following a dream of country living. In that vein of farm life and expansion, Mike's third child, Matthew, was born in 1979, followed by Jacob in 1983.
Mike Senior was a man known for his devotion to family, pride in his work, and dedication to friends. His warm, Southern Gentleman manner and sense of humor made it a joy to be with him (at least, until the rain drowned out the tent and the saddlebags with the whiskey were lost). He could leave you rolling on the floor in helpless laughter with a story. His courtliness could still surprise people in today's rough times; he was always the first to offer help, always opened doors for the ladies, and always, always, took his hat off inside a house. He was selfless with his time and skill, often volunteering to work on people's homes. He gave time to work on the roof of the Methodist Church in Winlock, and helped build a hospice center in Longview.
Life brings unexpected changes, and so the dream of a farm in the country gave way to new endeavours. In 1984, Mike found a new home at the Longview School District in electrical maintenance, and continued there for 23 years, building a long list of friends who have kept in touch throughout his illness. But the first love in Mike's life was always his family, and he leaves behind a large and loving one: his wife of nearly 42 year, Christine; his four children and daughter-in-law Mary; grandchildren Derek, Tanner, and Kelsie; mother Carolyn, and his other mother, Helen; brothers and sisters Cindy, Russ, Kenny, Kevin and Kevin; and brothers and sisters in spirit: Brian and Cheri; Ron and Barb; Steve and Linda; Joe and Kathy.
To paraphrase a bit from Dan Fogelberg:
I thank you for your courage and your stories of the road.
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go.
I thank you for the kindness, and the times when you talked tough.
And Papa, I don't think I said "I love you" near enough.
See you later. And don't take less than a four-pointer, you bald-headed cantankerous fart.
Mike did not want a big fancy funeral or lots of flowers, instead he wanted to keep this fight going. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Mike's name to the "Brain Tumor Research Fund", Department of Neurology - Dr. Mrugala, PO Box 356465, UWMC, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195. We will have a celebration of his life in the near future.
Special thanks from Mike's family to Dr. Thomas Cooke and Esther Williams, ARNP; Dr. Mrugala, neurologist, University of Washington; Dr. Sui, oncologist, and the staff at Providence Western Oncology for your loving care of our special guy.
This obituary was originally published in The Chronicle Newspaper.
