Lamar Charles Michaels

This world lost a consummate gentleman and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather on March 29, 2020, in Lake San Marcos, CA. Lamar (Mike) Charles Michaels was born on November 9, 1929 in Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL, the youngest of three children, just 10 days after the market crashed at the start of the Great Depression. Lamar's parents, Frank Herman Wilhelm Michaels and Frances Sinkule Michaels were each born in Illinois, as well. Lamar learned about integrity and hard work from his father, who, as the oldest son of 9 children, never finished the 8th grade, yet, raised 3 children, sending his sons to a private engineering school for their college education.

Lamar graduated from Riverside High School in 1947, as President of his class. He had already met the love of his life back in grammar school, and though they had dated, after graduation, he left for Rose Polytechnic College to pursue his electrical engineering degree in Terre Haute, IN. While at Rose, he made the honor role, was Senior Class President, President of his fraternity, Theta Xi, and lettered in football (played quarterback), basketball and track. He graduated in 1950 after 3.5 years.

Not long after graduating with his bachelor's degree in EE, Lamar nearly missed the opportunity to wed his love, Frances Mae McClelland, when another suitor offered Fran a ring. Always being willing to do whatever was needed to get the job done, Lamar swooped in and won Fran's heart. They were married on May 31, 1952. Lamar then joined the Air Force, where he served as an officer until 1954, when he and Fran returned to the Chicago area, with their first born already in tow. While Lamar worked for the public utility company, he and Fran continued to increase the population with four more children in the next five plus years.

Shortly after their fifth child was born, Fran and Lamar made a bold and adventurous decision. In 1961, they packed up their family of seven, left family and friends, and headed down Route 66 to Tucson, AZ to start a new career and life on their own. The next couple of decades were filled with summer camping trips, Southern California beach trips, even grand adventures across country to visit relatives as far away as Long Island, NY, not to mention regular sporting events and other daily, regular activities as Lamar and Fran shepherded their children to adulthood responsibly, and with the Love of God as their compass. Lamar served in the Episcopal Church as a sub-deacon/liturgist for many years, as well. He worked for Tucson Electric Power Company (they underwent several name changes over the years) from 1961-1990 when he retired from professional life, and spent many years after that enjoying golf with Fran, and any other family members and/or friends who could join them.

Lamar married an identical twin, and he always respected and nurtured the special relationship between his wife and sister-in-law, Ann Gross. Ann and her husband Erv spent many winters in Tucson during which time rounds of golf and hands of bridge were regularly encountered, and they all grew stronger in their love for each other.

As they grew older, and their children were spread out across the country, Lamar and Fran chose adventure over familiarity, again. They closed up shop in Tucson in October 2012, and moved to a retirement community in San Marcos, CA – just down the road from two of their daughters.

The family would like to recognize those two daughters, Donna McIntosh and Diane Kusunose, for the loving care, courage, and support they provided to Lamar and Fran as they both came to the end of their journey in this world. A special thank you to Donna for your extended and continued support before and after Fran and Lamar joined The Lord.

Lamar was met at the Gates of Heaven by his life partner and loving wife, Frances Mae Michaels; his parents, Frank Herman Wilhelm Michaels and Frances Sinkule Michaels, and step-mother, Irene (Wagner) Michaels; his brother, Earl Frank Michaels and his wife, Jean; his sister, Lois Frances (Michaels) Wyatt and her husband, Frank; his son-in-law Joseph (Chip) McDermott, and grandson, Andrew Michaels. Those anticipating being greeted by Lamar and Fran when they are called are their five, forever grateful children, Ann McDermott, Nancy Corrales, Donna McIntosh (Tom), Diane Kusunose (Randy), and David Michaels (Tesa). Lamar is also survived by his grandchildren: Patrick McDermott (Christina), Sarah Dabbas, David Corrales, Christopher Corrales (Kenia), Angie Corrales, Kyle Kusunose (Marissa), Kevin Kusunose, Kimi Kusunose, and Lauren Simonis (Mason), Kenan Michaels, Staton Michaels, Kira Michaels, and four great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and further family members.

May God continue to bless you all as we were blessed by having Lamar Charles Michaels in our lives!