Michael Neale Chouteau

my grandad was the best ever. -jocelyn

Working construction summertime Muskogee. Talking about the LORD, football, future plans. Several times a week I want to call him to talk about Sooner football, current events, the WORD, the LORD, Oklahoma, Muskogee, cigars, good food. Man, I miss my friend.

So many memories. Initially working on a bricklaying crew for Jack Henson and with Larry, Don. That was back in the late 1960s. We all have remained friends. Nights witnessing at the One Way Inn, we called it. Mike taught me to play chess there when it was slow. Never beat him. Mike could go from intensely spiritual and serious to insanely funny in a heartbeat. We could talk about Jesus and the Word over dinner, a cigar, walking, watching a ballgame in person, anywhere at anytime. We loved to talk OU Sooner football. We lost touch after he finished training with IBM and left Tulsa. We reconnected when Jack Henson passed away in the early 2000s. I called him to inform him a couple of days before the funeral and he showed up. Like day never passed. We remained in close contact from that time on. Loved his voicemail message when he would leave his "Good Concession" and sign off with his "See you bye!" signature closing. When I had a stroke and hospitalized, he and Janet showed up at the hospital. They was instrumental in my recovery. He helped generously. They loaned me a car when I had no car. Paid me to go to conferences to rep 1GPA. Helped me more than I help him. Brought me to Glendale for a retreat one spring so I could watch a Chicago Cub spring training game. So many memories. We prayed often in spiritual warfare. And feasted. I still tear up when I think or talk about him. Still painful. The wound of parting still fresh. I miss my friend, mentor, comrade, fellow laborer, and brother. Looking forward to seeing that big grin again.

It has been 166 days since Mike died. It is still hard for me to talk about his absence. "There is a friend who is closer than a brother." Mike was a friend, brother, comrade, ally, fellow laborer in the Harvest of the LORD.

Michael my brother, was awesome. We never had any arguments. We always were friends. He completely loved me, and I always knew he did. In OKC he had a newspaper route, he invited me to go with him one early cool morning, I rode on his handlebars, and he threw the paper on porches. Sometimes he would buy a gallon of milk with his earnings. Of course, I will always remember that special event. It was really odd, we had a conversation less than one week before he went to heaven, we talked about dad and how he realized that I was with dad a lot during his athletic events. When he ran track, I was nervous and prayed for him because it was 1: 1. basically. After the track meet dad would go to Piggly Wiggly and buy Mike steak and broil it for him, when he got home, he ate well. We all loved him dearly. When he was at NSU, I loved his room with many positive affirmations posted on index cards. He was a "go-getter" and that was his personality. He was such a character, funny, teaser & loveable. He loved his parents, wife, children & the rest of us! Compassionate & generous he & Janet gave me his beautiful Pontiac, when I was starting out in SD CA. He was kind to many people. He was always kind to me. I was greatly blessed to have him as my brother. I loved his "Super Day" message. He helped me get through life more than he knew. I miss him dearly every day.

Michael,
You will be missed my freind. Faith, love, family, friends and success you possessed it all.
Thoughts and prayers to Ms Janet and family..
He was an Awsome man and will me missed.
Raising a glass to you my brother see you on the other side!
Love ya
Steve Barry

Love you brother. You sure as good as they come. Till we meet again.

Scott Stebbing

Michael was one of my favorites at Wildflower. Michael, Janet & Jocelyn wound come in to eat regularly. Working in the restaurant industry can be taxing at times & whenever I had one of those days... Michael always knew how to make it better when he & his family arrived to eat. I´m forever blessed to have known him. God bless Janet, Jocelyn & his loved ones.

I have had the privilege of working for 1GPA for the past three years and I'm so thankful to have known Mike. He was a generous, thoughtful person with a laugh that lit up the room. He gave God the glory for everything.
We will miss him greatly. Ms. Janet - we are praying for peace and comfort for you and your family.

I remember Mike from high school and always admired him. In 1974 I was living and working in Tuba City, Arizona. Mike was the IBM rep that visited our hospital. I always enjoyed visiting with him.

Mike was a wonderful brother to me. I am shocked and saddened by his unexpected and sudden passing. I depended on him so much. He was always an encourager to me...a "Barnabas", and had GREAT FAITH in God. I think he was probably surprised when he woke up in Heaven that Friday morning but I do know he would not want to come back...no one does that has died, went to Heaven, and came back. I am thankful and comforted knowing he has now seen the face of God, the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, and is experiencing the awesome love and peace God promises us. He loved to laugh like our Grandad Hugh and I can just picture their laughter ringing throughout the rafters of Heaven! HE did not die, HE departed. I love you brother dear. Sharon

Michael was the kind of person who always made you feel special and important to him. I will always remember his positive energy and influence. Those of us privileged to know Michael are better people for it. He surely has a special place in God´s kingdom.

It is a sad moment. I will forever be grateful, knowing this man. His smile and hearty laugh always made my day. He will be forever missed.

From Muskogee to Tulsa to Phoenix, Mike was a friend who was closer than a brother. Enjoying a fine cigar while talking about the Word and the Lord, was the ultimate good time.