Michael Ray Bartlett

Michael Ray Bartlett

1958-2025 “Rest easy cowboy”

Mike Bartlett, a lifelong cowboy, rancher, and storyteller, hung up his spurs for the last time on September 12, 2025 at the age of 67. He passed peacefully with the wind rustling and the scent of leather and sagebrush in the air. Just the way he would’ve wanted.

Born on a summer day in 1958 in Provo, Utah, Mike came into the world with a wild streak and a heart as big as the mountain. He spent his earliest days working the land with his dad. He learned the importance of hard work before most kids learned to read. Michael never strayed far from the land. He believed in early mornings, honest work, and the quiet wisdom of horses.

Over his lifetime Mike worked cattle from a very young age to his very last day living by a code that didn’t need much explaining: say little, do right, and leave things better than you found them. He had hands like leather, eyes that could see a stray calf two miles off, and a laugh that could fill camp.

Though the trail was sometimes hard, Mike never lost his gentleness. He taught more than a few young cowboys how to ride, rope, and live with grit and grace. He loved strong coffee, old dogs, and good horses. He never met a fence he couldn’t mend or a friend he wouldn’t help.

He met the love of his life Valina K Okelberry on December 23, 2017 carrying dog food out to her car. Mike is survived by his wife Val, his sisters Christie Childers and Jill Bell, his children Rusty (Aaron), Bobby Kay (Jason), Chet (Jessica), Tyson (Shonie), Swade (Chelsie), Holly, Kasey (Whitney), 23 grandkids and his old mule Slick. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Pat.

He's headed now for greener pastures, where the horses run smooth, the cattle don’t spook and the coffee is always on.

Viewings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 at Wheeler & Sundberg Funeral Homes (211 East 200 South, Springville, Utah).

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 there will be a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Ponderosa at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds (475 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah). Then at 11:00 a.m. a celebration of Mike's life will be held also at the Ponderosa.

In true cowboy fashion there will be no suits, no sorrow. Just boots, stories, and one last ride.

Please bring your irons to add your brand to Mike’s memorial marker.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.