Michael Anaya

1972 - 2023

Michael Eugene Anaya



Michael Eugene Anaya passed away suddenly following a heart attack on March 28, 2023 in Ogden, Utah. Michael was born to Mike and Mary Anaya on November 16, 1972 in Albuquerque, NM, and grew up as the youngest of nine children while living in Moriarty. He graduated from Moriarty High School where he lettered in basketball, baseball, football and track. He then attended New Mexico State University (NMSU) where he received a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Michael worked in various family businesses (Mike's Friendly Store supermarket and El Comedor de Anaya's restaurant) in Moriarty. He also worked at the Hilton Hotel while attending NMSU in Las Cruces, and following graduation, split his time working at the Four Seasons Hotel in Albuquerque and as a relief manager at a hotel in Palm Springs, CA. He returned to Moriarty where he owned and operated Flicks video rental business and a Radio Shack franchise, then became manager and part owner of the Moriarty Holiday Inn Express along with other family members. Over the past 12 years, Michael worked as a financial advisor with New York Life both in Albuquerque and then in Ogden, Utah. As a financial advisor he qualified for the Executive Council at New York Life nearly every year.

Michael was a kind and caring individual who lived life to the fullest with his greatest joy being his family. He left this world too soon, but will always be remembered for his fun laugh, love of the outdoors even as a Boy Scout in his youth, an unwavering support of the Dallas Cowboys, and a commitment to community service. His community service included being a member of the Moriarty School Board, past President of the Moriarty Chamber of Commerce, baseball coach with the Moriarty Summer Recreation Program, and a sponsor of the Moriarty Karate club. He was also an active member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. In Utah, he served as the president of the Boys and Girls Club of Weber/Davis, was a Spiker for the Ogden Weber Chamber of Commerce, was involved with the Women in Business, and recently became a board member for the YCC. He raised thousands of dollars for the theater department and Hope Squad at Venture High and was always looking for ways to help organizations, sports teams, and other groups in his communities be financially sound. Michael and Brittany fostered many children in their home and provided a safe haven for those in need. He also recently began coaching boys at Venture High in basketball and thoroughly enjoyed it. He was always looking for more ways to serve the community in which he lived and believed in making this world a better place.

Michael is survived his parents, Mike and Mary Anaya of Moriarty, his sons, Austin and Daniel "Keno," his daughters Destiny and Audrey, three grandchildren, Amelia, Maya, and Scarlet, and his life partner, Brittany Carroll and her children Emily, Piper and Porter of Ogden, Utah. He is also survived by his siblings Michaela (Harold) Allen, Steve (Shara) Anaya all of Moriarty, Lawrence (Julie) Anaya of Pueblo, CO, Juanita (David) Shasteen of Gainesville, TX, Patricia (Patrick) Sullivan of Las Cruces, Roberta (Lewis) Reagan of Celina, TX, Victoria (Max) Saad of Albuquerque, NM, and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by a brother Robert Anaya who died as an infant, his grandparents Lauriano and Eufracia Anaya, and Candido and Lucia Sandoval.

A celebration of life will be held in Ogden, Utah on April 16 followed by a burial on April 17, 2023. A Rosary and Memorial Mass will be held on April 20, 2023 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Moriarty at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the Moriarty Civic Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to a youth organization of your choice.