Michael Larry Leininger

Michael Larry Leininger, "Mikey" or "Uncle Mike" age 47, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on June 22 in Mission Viejo, CA. He was born August 18, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Larry L and Jeri E Leininger. Mike grew up in Minnesota among many cousins, moved to Arizona where he graduated high school, then to California where he graduated college at Cal Poly Pomona. He enjoyed a successful career in retail management and truly appreciated working with all types of people. Mike is survived by his parents Larry & Lynda Leininger, Jeri & Bob Coe, sister Kriss Wondka & husband Nick, nieces Lauren, Jenna and Mara Wondka, aunts, uncles, numerous cousins from MN, IL, CA and NV, many dear friends and best buddy Jimmy Wallace. Mike spent his leisure time golfing, playing tennis, cycling or hanging out with friends and family. He was always extremely easy-going, accepting of everyone, patient, kind and loving and made himself available to help any friend in need. Forever in our hearts as we try to reflect these qualities. Celebration of Mike's life to be held on August 15, 2015 11am-2pm (lunch provided) San Clemente golf course http://www.sanclementegc.com/ All who knew and cared for Mike are invited to join us and share memories kwondka@comcast.net (sister Kriss) IT STARTED OUT AT BIG 5, WHEN THE ASSISTANT MANAGER STRUNG MY RAQUETS WITH A SMILE AND POLITE CONVERSATION. IT WENT FROM THERE TO PLAYING HUNDREDS OF TENNIS MATCHES ("WHISKEY TENNIS",) TO ME RENTING OUT A ROOM IN YOUR CONDO. YOU WENT FROM BEING MY BUDDY, TO MY BEST FRIEND, TO A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. WE SHARED SO MUCH, HOUSE HUNTING, CAR SHOPPING, FURNITURE SWAPPING, WALKING AROUND THE MALLS TO PEOPLE WATCH. DRINKING AT THE LOCAL BARS, (ESPECIALLY TGIF OR TANTALUM), OR JUST HANGING IN MY APARTMENT. THEN I FINALLY GAVE IN AND PLAYED GOLF WITH YOU. ALL THE MATCHES WITH MY SONS, WITH FRIENDS OR JUST THE 2 OF US. " YOUR HOLE IN ONE." GOING OUT FOR MEXICAN FOOD BEFORE A MATCH, HOME COOKED MEALS AT YOUR PLACE OR OURS, MY "TAXI " DRIVER. MY SURGERIES, YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR ME. THE MEMORIES ARE ENDLESS. WE DID SO MUCH TOGETHER, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO COMPREHEND THAT YOU AREN'T HERE TO DO THINGS ANY MORE. YOUR IMPRINT WILL BE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER, AS WELL AS IN YOUR FAVORITE SPOT ON OUR COUCH…. WE MISS YOU VERY MUCH MY DEAR FRIEND….. OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH SADNESS, THAT MIKEY ISN'T AROUND ANY MORE TO MAKE US LAUGH, TO SHARE OUR LIVES WITH THANK YOU FOR SHARING PART OF YOUR WONDERFUL LIFE WITH US, YOU HAVE TOUCHED MANY LIVES IN A POSTIVE WAY, AND YOUR LOVE, KINDNESS AND CARING NATURE WON'T EVER BE FORGOTTEN YOUR BELOVED FRIENDS JIMMY AND JAYNEANNE