Michael D. Boatwright

Michael D. Boatwright

Des Moines - Michael Dean Boatwright, 68, passed away at home on January 18, 2020, with his wife by his side. Services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Berean Church, 5299 E. University Ave, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. Michael's cremains will be inurned at Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Michael was born to Maynard Leo and Marcene Francis (McCollum) Boatwright in Des Moines, IA on October 14, 1951. Maynard and Marcene later divorced and Maynard then married Barbara Lee (Moorman) Frantz in 1960, blending their families together. As a child, Michael enjoyed many outdoor activities, including playing hockey on Fourmile Creek, ice skating, Little League baseball, waterskiing on the river, and scouting. He was a lifelong resident of Des Moines and graduated from East High School in 1969. Following graduation, Michael was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in combat in the Vietnam War from 1971-1972, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. Though his military service was a brief period of his life, the experience profoundly impacted him and he struggled with the memories of war for the rest of his days.

Michael married Lynn Marie (Dietz) in 1973 and they had two children, Eric Michael and Jennifer Lynn. They later divorced and Michael reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Cindy Norman. Michael and Cindy married on May 15, 1993, and Michael became stepfather to Cindy's children, Kevin Robert and Jennifer Christine.

Michael was a retired firefighter and EMT from the Des Moines Fire Department. On his days off from the fire station, he worked at Master Pools. He helped design and build pools at Maynard and Barbara's house and at Marcene's house, and his family and friends enjoyed innumerable fun-filled summer days poolside for decades.

Michael enjoyed watching Iowa football games with his wife, grilling, savoring chocolate, and spending time with his family.

The family would like to thank the Veterans Administration for the support and services that Michael and his family received throughout the years, and also Suncrest Hospice and its outstanding staff for the wonderful care and love that Michael received for the past few years.

Michael is survived by his wife, Cindy; his brothers and sisters, Cynthia (Mark) Perkins, Steven (Colleen) Boatwright, Patrick (Tracy) Lynch, Kelly Lynch, James Lynch, Dan Boatwright, and Gary Boatwright; his children Eric (Laura) Boatwright, Jennifer (Scott) Cheskiewicz, Kevin Mann, and Jennifer (Pete) Kellis; his grandchildren, Casey and Kileigh Boatwright, Anna Cheskiewicz, Peyton and Kamryn Kellis, and Griffin and Katherine Mann; his great grandchild, Layla; and many nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Barbara Boatwright and Marcene Lynch.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Berean Church or the East High School Alumni Foundation for the Class of 1969.