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Michael Grimes Obituary
A curious, strong-willed individual, he spent his early years in Idaho and Oregon, "Not always following paths but leaving many trails." His big-hearted, caring, outgoing charm forged bonds of friendship lasting a lifetime.
In 1998 he sat out on a journey to Alaska. Here he found love, life and adventure. Meeting his great love Shijoy Kilangak, establishing himself as an electrician, and exploring the wilderness of the "Great Land". Through 10 years of their relationship he was immersed into the social and spiritual aspects of her native Yup'ik culture. He enjoyed the many different rich traditions of family and community. Michael shared his most precious possession with everyone he met, his love for his mother, sister Heather, nephew Justin and niece Mariah. As the years passed, with phone calls, shared memories and visits, Michael and Shijoy's families became one.
Sadly without warning, Nov. 19, 2008, Shijoy passed away at 27 years old.
Michael's job allowed him to travel mostly via airplane to remote industrial complexes, backcountry communities, to a vast untamed wilderness that few ever witness. He took numerous journeys to see Alaska's great sights. He enjoyed the wilderness areas of Anchorage, Juneau and Delta Junction, camping, hiking, dirt biking, snowmachining and fishing with many friends. He never left home without a camera, leaving us all a vast treasury of pictures and videos of his travels, adventures, family and friends that he is still sharing with us now.
In his last year, God was gracious to grant Michael another chance at love. He met Deborah Caudillo in Delta Junction. On March 12, 2011, they had a ceremony to "Bless their relationship in the eyes of God." Together they made their home in Wasilla, with their beloved pets, "Bear and Carly".
In a note found among his possessions, he wrote of his desire to understand ourselves and life, and the spiritual knowledge of the life to follow. Ultimately he found order and harmony with all on this earth and with his faith in the Lord, resurrection in Heaven.
A visitation was held April 29, 2011, in Anchorage followed by cremation.
A "Celebration of Life" will be held in Idaho to be posted on Legacy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Grimes
Michelle (Shelly) Monett
May 6, 2024
It seems like your passing was an eternity ago and yesterday all at the same time. I´ll never forget the phone call from Travis relating the sad news. He has since joined you in heaven and that has always brought me peace. I still say a prayer for your family, especially your mom. I can´t imagine the pain of losing a child. Say hello to Donna Bakke and Karen Monett, my sisters I lost in 2015 and 2018. I live close to your last Anchorage residence and I still look down there hoping to see your truck. I love you Mikee, you were a great friend.
Shelly
May 6, 2023
Mikey, I think of you often and when I do you always have that welcoming smile that makes your eyes sparkle. You are dearly missed.
Kimberly Burrow
November 21, 2022
My dear sweet Mikey, I miss you so very much. I wish I could hear your goofy laugh or have you say my name just one more time. I'm so glad you are in a better place. I love you.
Nathan Rank
April 24, 2013
mike i really miss the times we would hang out or go camping or fishing summer is just around the corner here in alaska and its just not the same my heart hurts that i dont the option to call and say whats up bro lets do something i really do love and miss you mike!.....
April 23, 2013
Dear Michael,i miss you everyday of my life. you were not only my husband but my best friend. i love you! and i will always love you! karley is a big girl now and she is always there to lick my tears. rest in peace my love
Marian Ericson
April 24, 2012
It's been a year today that you left us and although we have missed you, we know you have been set free and are watching over us. We will see you when it is our turn to be set free from this earthly life. Love, Aunt Marian
Shelly Monett
April 8, 2012
Mikee, Alaska just is not the same without you. I am sure you would have had a lot of fun with the record breaking snowfall we had. You probably would have gotten some new toy like a snow machine to occupy yourself. Please let God know we have had enough snow, I know you have connections up there. Miss you lots!
Sherry Turner
April 8, 2012
Yes, Michael it has been 1 year ago today that we lost you. It has been a difficult year for the ones of us that you left behind. I know that you are in a much better place and hope that God is letting you, Mom and Dad watch out over us. We will always miss you, and you will forever be n our hearts. Luv you, your Aunt Sherry Sherry
Shawna Scott
April 6, 2012
A year ago Easter Sunday you left us. I miss you so much. This whole last year has been so hard without you. I miss you so terribly. I see you in my dreams, and feel you in my memories. At times I think your just in Alaska, and waiting for your call...Love you always and Forever...MOM
Sherry Turner
January 15, 2012
We are still missing you, and always will. The new year of 2012 has begun and from what I hear on the news there is tons of snow this winter in Alaska. It doesn't sound to good. The Nationl Guard is having to shovel 24/7 to keep up with it. I don't think your truck would have wanted to go anywhere. I was just thinking about you so decided to write in your Guest Book. We Miss and Love You
This just proves to me you are still here with me. Looking at some pictures today and there you were. Had never seen this one before... I love you TOO
Shawna Scott
January 14, 2012
Sherry Turner
July 12, 2011
Dear Michael, We are now finally trying to get back to a normal routine again after this last week-end. We had your Celebration of your life, July 9th here in Caldwell, and a lot of your friends and family came from all over. You would have enjoyed it with alot of tears, and alot of laughs. You would have been proud to know that Travis did your service, and we had a lot of eats, visiting and swimming. Like I said it was a Celebration of your life. I have said before and will say again, we miss you and always will, BUT You are the One that is in a Better Place, we are still left behind to do better. Keep an eye out on us all, but Especially for your Mother Shawna and your Sister Heather and her family. We Love and Miss You.
Your Aunt Sherry
NATHAN RANK
July 9, 2011
mike and i met in 1999 in job corps we were both taking the electrical program. i knew when i met mike we would be friends for life! mike and i did that very thing, we had some great times together fishing, camping and just hanging out. we were naibors for a couple of years, wich was a blast. mike and shijoy were so much fun to be around. i moved across town but we always had BBQ'S and get togethers. I fell a little out of touch with mike the last year of his life. i remember the day he called me and wanted to do lunch with another friend of ours in anchorage. i told him i would have to take a rain check but soon i would love to. that was the last time i spoke with mike and it kills me and brings tears to my eyes every time i think about mike. mike and i had some great times as friends and i will for ever hold all those great memories and some day my friend i will cash in that rain check for lunch and we will sit and just hang out like friends do. i miss you mike grimes REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND....
Nicholas Grainger
July 2, 2011
Mike you are a good friend of mine, and good friend to my kids. We met you when you finished jobcore, and you became my app, you made some misstakes, but you learned for them. And became a great electrican. And also Became an even better friend.Summer, devon, Ross and myself, will miss you more than you know. Good friends in life are hard to find and I am glad that I found you. WE love you and wish you did not have to go. Friends for life Love Nick.
March 2009, wish I had more.
Shelly Black
July 2, 2011
Aunt Anna & Mike
June 28, 2011
June 28, 2011
We didn`t know Michael for very long, but what we did know is he made our neice, his wife Debbie,so very happy in the short time given them. He sounded like an exceptionally good and caring young man. Judging from the way his family is looking out for Debbie. We can see where Michael got his goodness.
May he watch over Deb and forever be in her heart.
Judi Grimes
June 26, 2011
My Dear Nephew,
I know your with all who love you in a better place and that you are looking down at those left behind to join you later. I miss our online chats and the phone calls to see "what's up, in Jerome". My love to you,Michael. Aunt Judi
Debbie Caudullo
June 26, 2011
To my sweet Husband. Words can't even discribe how much I miss you. There isn't a day that goes by that there isn't something that reminds me of you. A sun rise. A sun set. The smell of you. Your sweet kisses. You telling me how much you loved me. Showing me something new in alaska. You had an amazing way of touching people with all the pictures you shared with family and friends. I will always love you for all my life.
your wife. Rest in peace my love.
Debbie
Mary Ellen Tracy
June 21, 2011
Michael when I knew you were a care free teen. Always made everyone around laugh, you had such a great smile. I know that your up there entertaining everyone. Rest easy young man.
Sherry Turner
June 19, 2011
Hello Michael, it is June 19th and today would have been your 35th Birthday. Even though you are not of the earth we still want to celebrate your 35 years and all that you had accomplished in your later years. I am so very proud of you. I Love and miss you and you will always be in my heart. RIP, Michael. I Love you, your Aunt Sherry, Sherry.
Joanne Bonnette
June 3, 2011
it saddens me to no end to see such a young man taken away but God must have wanted him for a reason, my heartsgo out to all of you, i did not know him but was just reading some memorial web sites as i am thinking of doing this for my brother who left our family on May 16th
sil beres
May 16, 2011
thak you for being my freind. I had the joy to be around you and shy joy camping and even before she past. I wasfortunate to hve met you both and got to be freinds and all through the years we kept in contact through calls, texting, or lunches. I was real fortunate to meet Debbie. Thank you for allowing to me to meet someone very special in your life. You will be missed. take care Debbie if you need anything call me. I want to thank shonna his mom. sylvia beres
Shelly Black
May 15, 2011
Mike, you were a great friend. I admired your loyalty to your loved ones, especially your Mother. I see garage sale signs and think of you. I drive past one of your work sites and think of you. I see your name on my facebook friends list and think of you. I miss you. Thank you for being my friend. Hugs to Shawna and Heather.
Tammie Stambaugh(Conrad)
May 14, 2011
Grimer.............Thank-you for your compassion, your smiles and the peace and calm that always seemed to appear when talking with you whether on the phone an I.M or threw a text. thank you for all the laughs, the memories and the love, most of all thank you for letting me call you my friend. We love and will miss you dearly.
Nita Smith
May 14, 2011
Grimer.. This is what you were known to all your school mates in Oregon. We are all at a loss for words. You made an impression on all your friends that will never be forgotten. I love you dearly, you truly will be missed.
May 13, 2011
Our dearest Michael Ikes as Logan called you, you were loved in life and the love will remain in your passing. You were a true friend both you and Aka. The both of you are greatly missed, and so will the camping trips in the summers. We love you and hope you can rest in peace with our dearly loved Shijoy "Aka". With love, Naomi and Logan Sunio.
May 13, 2011
Mike, You are missed so much but we know you are keeping an eye on things here on earth. The things that your mom has been telling me about just prove that you are here in spirit helping her,Heather and Debbie through this difficult time. It is amazing how you can answer their questions from up there but all they have to do is ask and the answer comes. I am looking forward to meeting Debbie and welcoming her into our family. We will look after her and greive together as a family but rejoice that you are where you want to be. Love and miss you, Aunt Marian
Sherry Turner
May 13, 2011
Ok Michael, I think things are finally coming together. Your Mother had a very hard time putting together the Obituary for you. But with help, it has turned out awesome. You would be proud. We are finding out so many things about you that we didn't even know. Some that make us so proud of you and others, well lets just say it is way to funny. We miss you and will be checking on what others have to say about you. We miss you so. We also know you are in a much better place.
David Wright
May 12, 2011
Mike, Only got an occassional chat while you were with the School District and am sorry to hear of you leaving us but, in another instance I'm so happy for you as you are Home with our Lord and Savior. David Wright (Anchorage, AK)
Heather Beard
May 12, 2011
Michael,
I just can't believe you are gone. I miss you so much. You were so young and had a full life ahead of you. You really pulled your life together this last couple of years. I like that we were becoming closer. You were finally living your life for God and you found love again. I just wished that life was not so complicated so I could have just dropped everything and our family could have gone to see you. Everything just had to be so expensive. The kids loved you so much......They really enjoyed talking to you on skype as well as I did.
I've got to say though that it is a true blessing to know that you are with our Jesus and I will get to see you again. You are truely missed here on earth. I Love you so much Michael.....
Megan Larson
May 12, 2011
I am sorry for your loss. I never knew Micheal but reading about his life and his adventures, it sounds like he never took a moment for granted.
Hunter Manumik
May 12, 2011
Mikey! I still cannot believe you are gone! I know that you and Aka are watching us from above! Send us your wonderful smiles from time to time! "Have a nice day Mr. Grimes! You know!"
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