Michael Joseph Lyding

Mike’s enthusiasm for life brought joy to the many who knew and loved him. He was born July 19, 1945, in Phoenix, Arizona to Alfred Samuel Lyding, Jr. and Mary Louise Rohrbacher as the second oldest of nine children. With the passing of his father at a young age, Mike developed a deep bond and love of family that he carried through his whole life. He possessed a brilliant mind and life-long love of learning, earning scholarships and work-study aid to attend Brophy College Preparatory, Loyola University in Los Angeles, and the University of Arizona law school. Upon graduating, he passed bar exams for Arizona and California in the same summer and continued to practice law for more than 50 years in Arizona, serving as a true advocate for his clients. He volunteered with and served on boards for the Phoenix Chapter of Optimists International, the Elks, and the Red Cross. When he found sobriety in 1993, he started a spiritual and emotional journey that brought him a deep sense of peace, healing, and belonging, inspiring him to write two daily meditation books—Grateful, Not Smug and Gratitude, a Verb—and serve on boards for Crossroads and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Mike loved sharing stories, photos of his grandkids, and delectable treats (usually made by his wife, Kathy) with anyone willing to accept a sample bite. He treasured the people in his life and often reminded them how special they are. He absolutely insisted on enjoying life and could fill a room with his hearty laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Al, Barbara McLoone, and Steve. He is survived by his wife Kathy; his children Anne Bojko (Russ), Eric (Delia) and Karen Snodgrass (Lyle); his grandchildren Cora and George Snodgrass and Quinn Bojko; his siblings Kathy DeRouen (Perry), Judy Lyding (Carl Hanson), Ken (Vicki), Janie Brotherton (Steve) and Chris (Linnea); his sisters-in-law Mary Lou and Debbie; brother-in-law John McLoone; and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on Friday, May 2nd at the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 at 1:30pm followed by a celebration of life and reception with open sharing at the same location. As Mike was one of the first successful open-heart surgery patients in Arizona, consider giving a donation to the American Heart Association in lieu of flowers or lending someone a helping hand and letting them know they are loved.