Michael Tacke

Michael Scott Tacke

Michael Scott Tacke was born in San Jose, CA, July 16, 1964. He moved to Woodinville, WA with his family in 1971 and graduated in 1982 from Bothell High where he was on the Swim, Diving and Gymnastics Teams. In high school he worked as a Life Guard and Swimming Instructor at the Northshore Pool and at Gold Creek Athletic Club. He loved French Class and Art.

He left for Southern California shortly after graduation where he worked in construction, at the Design Center and in retail sales. Moving back to Seattle in 1989, he worked for Jim Detwiler at the historic Timberline Tavern. It was there he met Mike Montague who was in Seattle on business. He joined Mike M. in LA and while there Mike took computer classes. The Mikes moved to the Twin Peaks area overlooking the Bay where they spent the next 20+ years. They became known to their friends as Big Mike (6'4") and Little Mike (6'2").

Mike had contracted HIV early in life when the survival rate was very low and he cared for many friends during their final days. Mike was fully aware of being one of the lucky ones and lived a full life with Mike M. He made many friends and enjoyed day to day experiences as artist, photographer, free-lance graphic designer, Photoshop expert and lover of dogs. His last job was with Citizen Hound where he took dogs, along with his own beloved Diamond, to the off-leash beaches and parks of The City. Mike thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors with his packs and loved taking photos of them for their owners. The Mikes traveled extensively with at least one major trip each year.
His role as caregiver was resumed full time in 2014 when Big Mike's skin cancer became life threatening. He provided constant care for Mike M. until his death August 24, 2015. The loss of Big Mike was devastating for Mike and only ended with his own death from pneumonia March 5, 2016, when the Mikes were reunited. Mike leaves parents Ken and Carol Tacke, siblings, Annette and Bryan Tacke, niece, Johnna Knapp, many aunts, uncles, cousins and wonderful friends who loved him very much. A Celebration of Life will be held July 10 in Golden Gate Park. For RSVP and details email carolgate@comcast.net.