Michael Lee Gore

1937 - 2010

Michael Lee Gore passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, at the age of 72 after a courageous five-year fight with multiple health problems. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2100 N. Davis Drive, Arlington. Interment: Michael's cremains will be interred at a later date in the St. Maria Goretti Cremains Garden. Vigil: 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations to Mission Arlington will be sincerely appreciated. Mike was born in Shelbyville, Ind., on Aug. 13, 1937, to James and Catherine Gore. The Gore family relocated to Arlington when Mike was just 4. He graduated in 1955 from Laneri Catholic High School, from which he still maintains many friendships. Much to his mother's dismay, Mike then joined the U.S. Navy where he served for three years, 10 months and 11 days, as he liked to tell others. He qualified for submarine service, serving on the USS Chivo. Following his discharge from the service, Mike attended Arlington State College for three years and then received a marketing degree from North Texas State University. Securing the first step in his career prior to finishing college, Mike joined IBM's office supply division, selling a product that some might remember as a typewriter. After five years with IBM, Mike joined Merrill Lynch, from where he retired in 1999 as an assistant vice president and financial consultant. In 1964 he married Bonnie Sue Beebe, Miss Arlington of 1962. She was his beloved wife for 45 years. He always said that the happiest days of his life were when his children, Jennifer and Jamey, were born. Among many volunteer efforts he helped to start the Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and supported fundraising for the Bishop Cassata Learning Center. What Mike adored most was family, friends and making numerous kind gestures for others. Mike will be deeply missed by all and will remain in our hearts forever. Survivors: His wife, Bonnie Gore; daughter, Jennifer Patton and husband, David; son, Jamey Gore and wife, Shauna; and adored grandchildren, Kenzie Lea and Cason James Gore. Other survivors include "like-a-daughter," Jacqui Brownfield and husband, David; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Mason; niece, Sherri Pebbles; nephew, John Schwalbe; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Alanna and Cade Patton were held close to his heart.