On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Mike Stratton, Age 77, passed away suddenly from a pulmonary embolism in Vancouver, WA. He was born in Portland, OR to R. Wendell Stratton and Margaret Stratton who later raised him and his sisters in Pocatello, ID.

Mike attended Poky High School graduating in 1961. He loved to play baseball and basketball and his skills in both sports earned him college scholarships. After a try or two at academic life he decided to enlist in the U.S. Air Force and served as a radar operator at Berlin Tempelhof airport from 1963 to 1966. The Berlin Braves Air Force baseball team recruited him and he got to see a lot of Europe. Back in civilian life he turned to resort work in Jackson Hole WY which allowed him to also spend time fishing. Then came a winter seasonal job at a hotel in the British Virgin Islands where he met his future wife, Christa, who had worked there a few years already. They were married in 1969 and settled in Pocatello until Mike earned his BA in education at Idaho State University in 1972. Mike taught physical education at the Mountain Home AFB Junior High School for a few years then changed careers in 1977 going to work for the Post Office in Mountain Home as a mail carrier. Winters in Idaho can be harsh, especially on a walking route, so he transferred to the Vancouver WA Post Office in 1986 retiring at the end of 2004.

Mike loved anything that involved nature and the outdoors, observing wildlife, fishing, hunting pheasants, also camping and playing softball. He and Christa traveled much during their working years but after retirement Mike started on his bucket list: New Zealand , Costa Rica, China, The Galapagos, Australia, Africa and much of Europe. He picked the destinations and Christa worked out the details. There were longer winter stays in Surprise, AZ or Palm Springs where he discovered Pickleball. Weather permitting he also hiked the many trails of OR and WA with a loyal group of friends. Mike was easy going and kind, and he loved a good laugh. To say that we will miss him is an understatement.

Mike is survived by his wife, Christa, Sisters Sue Short of Pocatello, Barbara (Tom) Peters of Eureka, CA, Debbie (Ted) Flandro, American Falls, nieces Jenny Petersen, Boise , Erika Petersen, Herriman, UT, and great-niece, Kaitlin Chacon, Pocatello.

There will be a private family gathering in Idaho at a later date. Should you wish to make a donation in Mike's memory, please pick a charity of your choice. Please share a memory at www.columbian.com/obits.

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

Published by Idaho State Journal on Feb. 28, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Stratton

Sponsored by Wilks Colonial Chapel.

10 Entries

Penny Hall

March 25, 2021

Such a fun step-brother Mike was! It was amazing that he could remember so many jokes!! He was so much fun to be with. My Mike Nielsen told Mike Stratton about the time he and his friend Herb saw Big Foot near Eagle Cliff east of Cougar. Mike Stratton worked at the post office with Herb, but he never believed the story! We will greatly miss Mike! It is so wonderful that you have so many great memories.

Megan

March 18, 2021

I met Michael when he came in to donate platelets at the Red Cross. He was always so full of joy and laughter. I enjoyed getting to know him and am sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends. He will be greatly missed.

William H Hayward

March 16, 2021

Mike is the son of my Aunt Margaret Stratton. At the time he was born I was 12 years old. Margaret was living with us in Portland when Mike was born.
He was the oldest next to me of all my 1st cousins. I never knew a more compassionate and kind person. When my first wife died I visited Mike and Crista and he took me to the museum in Vancouver. We had a wonderful visit at that time. I will truly miss you Mike. You lived a great life and I know I will see you again in Heaven with the Lord

John parry

March 13, 2021

Mike was and will always be the last great Boy Scout. He somehow always had what anyone needed in his backpack. He was always ready to offer a hand or knee to anyone who needed the help along the trail. He will be missed by all that were blessed to hike with him in our beautiful North West

chris usinger

March 10, 2021

We will miss you Mike but never forget you. You had a special gift of connecting people (who in turn became great friends) and guiding us on some of the most magnificent hikes in the NW. You are generous, kind, and thoughtful soul always lending a helping hand across a slippery rock bed or a refreshing river dipped neck wrap on a hot day. You made friends with the happy dogs we passed on the trails. Oh how I looked forward to getting that phone call each Monday to learn about the next adventure you had planned for the week. We loved your humor and infectious laugh and I will never look at a "Black-eyed Susan" again without smiling. Mike and Christa you both are a great blessing in all our lives.

Brian and Wendy Pederson

March 2, 2021

We had the pleasure of playing on a Sunday co-ed softball team with Mike about 10-15 years ago or so. He was our fearless pitcher, and he always showed up with bubble gum to hand out to his teammates and spectators! He was a lot of fun as a teammate, often playing at a higher level than people many years younger! We also enjoyed getting to see Christa at all the games, and it was always so clear how much the two of you loved each other. Mike had a very interesting, full life! We are so sorry for your loss.

Rich Ullsmith

March 2, 2021

I played with Mike on various softball teams, the last time, maybe 6 years ago when we roomed together in Wenatchee. Mike was really a wonderful guy; I regret that I didn't stay closer to him after he stopped playing because of his knees. I truly regret that. I also know he was still crazy in love with his wife, Christa; you get to know these things in your off field and driving times. We had to go to Leavenworth WA, for special pastries that Christa loved. Mike was not an excitable guy, but picking out the pastries, I knew he was excited about surprising her with them. It was fun, Mike. The pleasure was all mine!

Kent Brimhall

March 1, 2021

I have not seen Mike for many years now. We played on the same Pocatello High School basketball teams and graduated the same year, 1961. We both also graduated from Idaho State University, but not in the same year. Mike was a great guy, a good and kind person. I am sure he lived his life that way. He had an infectious laugh and made other people laugh. I was saddened to know that he has passed, but happy that I have such good memories of him. I am sure that his family has many more than I.

Suzy & John

March 1, 2021

Christa, you and Mike's sisters have described him so well. What a great neighbor and hiking buddy! We already miss him so much! Here is a picture from atop Silver Star.

Jeff Limbaugh

February 28, 2021

To the family of Mike I would like to sat that he was a great guy. I worked with him at the Post Office and he was always positive and in good humor

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