Michael Sessions
Fayetteville—Michael Guy Sessions, 65, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, passed away on August 17, 2020 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst. He was admitted to the hospital on July 22, 2020 and was shockingly diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Born on February 23, 1955, in Spokane, Washington, to Myron Guy and Margaret (Cooper) Sessions. He is survived by his best friend and wife Karen Denise Shaw Sessions, brothers John Thomas (Lucia) Sessions, David Garvin Sessions, his favorite sister Marlena Elizabeth Sessions (Paul Ringo), many cousins, his mother-in-law, Barbara Louise Shaw (Jerry Waseca), brother-in-law's Kevin Dean and Michael Jay Shaw, and sister-in-law Laura Anne (Shaw) Roberts. He is also survived by ten nieces, two nephews, and their children and spouses whom he adored and dearly loved, who affectionately called him Major Mike and Uncle Major Mike. Mike and Karen enjoyed 38 years of marriage and enjoyed their travels and the many dear friends they made along the way.
Michael graduated from Shadle Park High School in Spokane, WA, in 1973. He attended Wenatchee Valley Jr College where he met Karen and went on to graduate from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management and Forest Science. While attending college, Michael worked for the Forestry Department as a firefighter and Smokejumper. He spent the first year after college working full time as a Smokejumper out of Redmond, Oregon, until he joined the United States Marine Corps as 2nd Lieutenant at Quantico, Virginia.
Michael loved serving his country and had a distinguished career for twenty years in the Marine Corps. He attended the Army Special Forces qualification course as a Marine Major and was awarded a Green Beret and Army achievement medal. During that time, he also attended SERE course. Major Sessions also received numerous decorations, medals, and badges including rifle and pistol expert (10 awards each) Navy and Army commendation medals, and southwest Asia and overseas service ribbons. He was certified in scuba and parachuting. His military education included Amphibious Warfare, USAF Special Operations, International Terrorism, Reconnaissance, Army Special Forces Green Beret, and numerous other accommodations and certifications. Michael's military career provided him the opportunity for extensive travels and adventures including climbing Mount Fuji, serving a year in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, South Korea, Okinawa, Hawaii and probably a few confidential places unknown to us.
After serving in the Marines, Michael worked as a contractor for Army Special Forces Green Beret training and went on to work Northrup Grumman for five years and Gander Mountain for ten years. Mike retired at 62. Karen and Mike enjoyed a fun, wonderful life together. Dinners and laughter with friends, lots of fur-baby entertainment, and a prank or two were always fun.
Michael loved gardening, landscaping and was always working on projects around the home and for his neighborhood and had a long, long list of things to do. He loved camping, hiking and spending time outdoors. He and Karen loved their fur babies and lost their beloved dog Sophie, exactly two weeks prior to Michael's passing. Izzy kitty is wondering what happened.......surely Michael was greeted by all of our relatives and friends and a whole bunch of critters.
Michael had the privilege of participating in the 75th Anniversary of D Day in the summer of 2019, which was led by his brother John Sessions and the Historic Flight Foundation (HistoricFlight.org and D-Day Squadron.org). The brothers made the trip in honor of their father's service with the 101st Airborne Division and jump behind Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.

It was the trip of a lifetime. Michael would love and be honored by donations sent to the Historic Flight Foundation: 5829 E Rutter Ave, Spokane, WA 99212.
Services will be held at a later date in Washington State.

Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fayetteville Observer from Aug. 24 to Aug. 30, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Sessions

Sponsored by Boles Funeral Home - Southern Pines.

8 Entries

C.J. Baldwin

September 7, 2020

Mr. Michael was one of the most wonderful human beings I have had the pleasure of knowing. For as long as I have known him, he was a light to me, my family, and many of our neighbors. I had the good luck of running into him when I was home several weeks ago. Same cheerful and delightful spirit came across as we greeted one another and joked. He will be missed! I thank God for men like Mr. Michael. May he Rest In Peace.

Marc Zaragoza

September 7, 2020

Mike was one of the first people I met at Gander, and right away he took charge and trained me any chance he had, and that’s not easy to do for me. No matter how busy or stressed we were with customers he always said “be right with you Marc” and he always did. He was one of the most positive guys there ever was, always happy to see you. We had long discussions when time permitted about historic weapons and military history or Robin Sage. He showed me one of his prized artifacts because we discussed it a few days earlier I was not shocked that he went the extra step that was Mike. I have the utmost respect for you Mike. Remember to check your six on the Eternal Patrol. Godspeed!
Marc Z.

Thad Middleton

September 5, 2020

I had the pleasure of working with Mike for several years and Gander Mountain. What a great guy Mike was! He always had a smile on his face and was always in a good, cheerful mood. It’s hard for me to believe that he is gone. Mike will be greatly missed but all of us that had the pleasure to work with him.

Jason Richmond

September 5, 2020

One of a kind and a man everyone should strive to be like.

Steve Pietrowicz

September 5, 2020

Worked with Mike at Gander Mountain. He was an awesome leader and I often spent time just talking with Mike. Being an Army Ranger we would have fun messimg with each other. Mike was a go to guy with all his team mates. Salute Warrior RIP. RLTW

Jay

August 30, 2020

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Washington State

August 26, 2020

Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.

Ann Ward

August 24, 2020

I can hear his laughter echoing through the halls at just the thought of him. I am thankful for having been able to share in his joy in the short time we worked together, as he was so quick to welcome someone as a friend. His positive attitude was infectious, as was his smile. We are all better for having had him influence our lives. Peace to his wife and family.

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