John Michael Tenbrink

John Michael Tenbrink



Mike Tenbrink, 63 of Abilene, Texas, passed away on August 30, 2021. Born December 23,1957 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, raised by his loving parents John and Opal Tenbrink.

In his youth Mike was an altar boy at Our Lady of Annunciation and spent his time achieving merit as an Eagle Scout. His love for fabricating comes from fond memories of participating with his father in soap box derby races. Once receiving his GED from Sandia High in 1975, he enlisted in the Army where he spent his service time as a helicopter mechanic. Upon discharge from the Army, he returned to Albuquerque extending his education at Technical Vocational Institute to begin his career as a machinist. 1980 brought him a bride, high school sweetheart Rose Baff, and shortly after their wedding, a job offer at P.C.I. sent them to start a new family in Midland, Texas. They would raise three children, Christina, Jennifer and Ian. While he was talented on a lathe, he also had a skill for engine work, both of these skills led him to positions working for companies like Tomcat USA, building stage equipment for bands like Pink Floyd and Genesis, and in his free time was able to contract into work with Hall/VDS and other local race teams. In the backyard he built his own shop and spent years acquiring his own mills and lathes to open Cylinder Head Service, once the neighbors were worn out with the sounds of machinery and racecars, tried his hand at starting up Permian Performance. Ultimately continuing his career as a machinist at various employers before leaving Midland.

Mike always had a knack for detail, and never let something beautiful go unnoticed whether it was an out of place flower, handcrafted art, a specific note in a piece of music or attempting to make jewelry. Abilene was a part of a journey after 2014 that he found himself on later in life, where he met many good people to help him through those final years and his four legged companion Lucy. By all accounts the mischief, pranks, and tall tales are all true, even the ones you wouldn't believe.

The family would like to thank General Strader, meals on wheels, the Veterans Affairs, for watching over him and being so kind, and Reverend Jim Smart of St. Mark's Episcopal for being bedside with Mike and his daughter during his final moments. Mike is preceded in death by both his parents, John and Opal, his sister Julie, and his biological mother Goldie Skaggs Cooke. He leaves behind his three children Christina (Wesley) Cockrell, Jennifer (Brian) Gammage, and Ian (Christine) Tenbrink and his grandchildren, Lucas, Haley, Lainey and Autumn, and the mother of his children, Rosemary. Arrangements for a memorial will be held at a later date.. The family welcomes you to share with them your own stories and memories of Mike. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Veterans Affairs, Mental health, AA or a local homeless program in your own community.