Michael Deffenbaugh

DEFFENBAUGH, Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas Deffenbaugh was born September 11, 1954, in Glendale, California, the only child of Margaret Josephine "Peggy" Deffenbaugh (née Weirup) and William Thomas Deffenbaugh. He was the light of their lives. Michael was a curious and thoughtful boy who learned to read early and never stopped. He was thoroughly fearless and fascinated by everything his parents either encouraged or allowed him to do, and even by a lot of things they never knew he did and never would have allowed. His lifelong childhood friends (Elliott, Richard, Glenn, and Dave) were often co-conspirators. Michael wrestled and played football in high school. After graduation, as the war in Vietnam waned, Michael was determined to learn how to fly, so he relinquished his flowing locks and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was enormously proud of his years in the military and was humbled by, and remained grateful for, others who served and still serve in all branches. After his USAF hitch Michael continued his education at San Francisco State University and then Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He began his airline career with Western Airlines in Los Angeles as an aircraft mechanic, and when Western merged with Delta, he transferred to Atlanta. He worked for Delta for 34 years and retired in 2020 as the Fleet Manager of the 737 fleet. Michael loved airplanes, the pilots who flew them, and the instructors who trained them. Other passions included traveling, classical music and classical musicians, good food, baseball, Labrador retrievers, and being outdoors. Mostly he was fascinated by how mechanical things worked, and how to fix and maintain them. His vast personal collection of tools was legendary. Michael served proudly, gave generously and loved deeply. He fought bravely in his insurmountable battle against glioblastoma, faced the end with dignity, and died gently on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Michael is survived by his long-time partner, Barbara Goorevitch Cook; cousins, Janette Deffenbaugh, Julie Deffenbaugh Lee, and Grant Deffenbaugh; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom will miss him dearly. Michael was buried in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Michael's memory to the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation